[Ads-l] Antedating of "no can do"

[Steven Losie]

NO CAN DO (OED3, 1868)

[begin quote]
The language, which they use in speaking to the English, is a compound of
Portuguese, French, Dutch and English, which being put together with the
Chinese idioms, and pronounced with a Chinese brogue, produced a most
ridiculous and laughable effect. They commenced their enquiries respecting
the passengers with "How many piecy woman in Ship?" being answered four,
"they exclaimed with a most ungallant look of horror"—"ayah! why for so
many piecy? no can do!"
[end quote]
Source: The Quarterly Oriental Magazine, Review, and Register, Part 76,
Vol. 7, p.238 (Calcutta, India)
Date: June 1827
Article Title: Art. V - Journal of a Voyage from Calcutta to China
Author: Lelius
Database: Google Books
https://books.google.com/books?id=jSgJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA238&dq=%22no+can+do%22

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