learn Chinese

English

Etymology

From the phrase "Get ready to learn Chinese, buddy," originating from an image macro falsely quoting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in reference to controversy surrounding player Kyrie Irving, suggesting that Irving should be exiled to lower-tier Chinese league.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Verb

learn Chinese (third-person singular simple present learns Chinese, present participle learning Chinese, simple past and past participle learned Chinese or learnt Chinese)

1. (sports, slang, derogatory) To quit or transfer from a major professional sports league, suggesting a player does not deserve their current place.
   • 2024 January 7, @UTDTrey, Twitter‎^[1]:

     Our best starting line up against 18th in League 1, we either win 5-0 or every single one of those players need to start learning Chinese.

   • 2024 April 1, @CSKYash_, Twitter‎^[2]:

     Absolute ass bowling. no swing at all, 115kph bouncers to short ball veterans. Always ruins the pp spell of Tushar. I expected so much from him, really disappointed. Better turn the things around or learn Chinese

   • 2024 May 10, @ValorINTEL, Twitter‎^[3]:

     “Every single hater who told me to learn Chinese, I’m glad because I’m going to Shanghai” Asuna shut the haters down 🔒

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see learn,‎ Chinese.