Gung ho (term)
"Gung ho" is an American slang term that originated from Chinese phrases used during the 1930s, specifically "gōng yè" and "hé zuò shè," which refer to industry cooperatives. The term was popularized in the United States during World War II by USMC General Evans F. Carlson, who mistakenly associated it with teamwork and cooperation while observing the Chinese Red Army. Carlson’s interpretation led him to teach his troops about the importance of working together, and the phrase gained traction among American military personnel. Over time, "gung ho" has evolved to encompass both positive and negative connotations, often signifying enthusiasm and dedication but occasionally implying overzealousness or a show-off mentality. It has remained a part of both military and civilian vernacular, with the Marine Corps specifically using it to recognize outstanding performance and teamwork. Despite its varied meanings, the context in which "gung ho" is used is crucial for understanding its intended sentiment.
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Gung ho (term)
Gung ho is an American slang expression of Chinese origin that came into use during World War II. It has several accepted meanings, none of which can be directly tied to the Chinese expression from which it has been drawn. Throughout its existence, “gung ho” has been used in both complimentary and derogatory manners, and its exact meaning remains fluid. Despite its muddy origins, the phrase has remained in steady use since its inception.
Background
The phrase that became “gung ho” originated as the Chinese words gōng yè, meaning “industry,” and hé zuò shè, meaning “cooperative.” It was a phrase used during the 1930s to refer to an industry cooperative or a company run by the workers themselves to produce textile items such as blankets and uniforms for the military. These cooperatives were meant to help the Chinese people overcome challenges brought about by a civil war. To the English-speaking people in China at the time, including members of the American military, the Chinese words sounded roughly like “gung ho.”
Overview
One American Marine is credited with bringing “gung ho” into the English language. Evans Fordyce Carlson was a foreign military observer of the Chinese Red Army who spent several years embedded with them during the 1930s and became impressed with how they fought. For reasons that are not clear, Carlson associated the Red Army with the industry cooperatives, even though they were at best remotely connected because one made equipment for the other. He also mistook the term “gung ho” as a positive statement related to teamwork, although it had no such connotation at the time.
Carlson left the Marines for a time, only to become involved again as a lieutenant colonel when America entered World War II in the Pacific. He was given charge of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, which became known as Carlson’s Raiders. Drawing on his experience with the Chinese Red Army, Carlson taught his men about the “gung ho” cooperative efforts of the Chinese forces. He combined his own mistaken impressions of the Chinese phrase with the attributes he saw in their soldiers and wanted his own troops to emulate—the idea of working together cooperatively to achieve a goal.
Before long, Carlson’s Raiders were using the “gung ho” expression in reference to the equipment they fashioned to help make their efforts more successful and to many aspects of their military life. A 1943 propaganda film about Carlson’s unit called “Gung Ho!: The Story of Carlson’s Makin Island Raiders” shared the phrase with the American public, and the word soon spread into everyday conversation. However, the word’s meaning had already changed somewhat, as many soldiers who saw Carlson’s men as show-offs used “gung ho” negatively to connote someone who was trying too hard.
The phrase has continued to be part of the American language in the years since then and can be found in civilian and military vocabularies. It can still mean someone who is very enthusiastic about reaching a goal and be seen in a positive light. It can also imply over-enthusiasm as well. The Marine Corps continues to use it to encourage and recognize superior effort and teamwork. However, it can also be used as a put-down, and like many English phrases, context is important in determining meaning.
Bibliography
Abley, Mark. “Watchwords: ‘Gung ho’ Originates with U.S. Marines.” Montreal Gazette, 21 April 2017, montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/watchwords-gung-ho-originates-with-u-s-marines. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“Gung Ho Awards.” Semper Fidelis Society, semperfidelissociety.org/gung-ho-awards. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“‘Here I See China’s Hope’— Evans Fordyce Carlson, A ‘Student’ of the Eighth Route Army.” Global Times, 13 May 2021, www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1223354.shtml. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Kung, Jess. “The Long, Strange Journey of ‘Gung-Ho’.” National Public Radio, 18 Oct. 2019, www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/10/18/406693323/the-long-strange-journey-of-gung-ho. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Makos, Adam and Marcus Brotherton. Voices of the Pacific: Untold Stores from the Marine Heroes of World War II. Berkley Caliber, 2013.
Rottman, Gordon L. Carlson’s Marine Raiders. Bloomsbury USA, 2014.
Taaffe, Stephen R. Commanding the Pacific. Naval Institute Press, 2021.
"Origins of 'Gung Ho', Lost Something in the Translation." Vietnam Veterans Against the War, 1978, www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1938. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.