HIGHBINDERS Meaning and
Definition
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"Highbinders" is a term that historically referred to Chinese secret societies or criminal gangs, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term originated in the United States, specifically in the western frontier during the California Gold Rush and the construction of railroads. These secret societies were involved in various illicit activities such as organized crime, extortion, gambling, prostitution, opium trafficking, smuggling, and contract killings.
The word "highbinders" itself carries a sense of evasiveness, as it alludes to the secretive nature of these criminal organizations. It is believed to have been derived from the Cantonese term for a person who murders or intimidates others for payment. These gangs primarily targeted their own Chinese communities, exerting control over businesses and individuals through fear and violence.
Over time, the term "highbinders" has evolved and now generally refers to any secret or covert criminal associations, regardless of ethnic origin, that engage in illegal activities. While the use of the word has diminished in modern times, it continues to evoke a sense of criminality and danger associated with secretive underworld activities.
In summary, "highbinders" originally referred to Chinese criminal gangs involved in organized crime and illicit activities. It now refers more broadly to covert criminal associations engaged in various illegal activities, often exerting control through intimidation and violence.
Common Misspellings for HIGHBINDERS
- highbinder
- gighbinders
- bighbinders
- nighbinders
- jighbinders
- uighbinders
- yighbinders
- hughbinders
- hjghbinders
- hkghbinders
- hoghbinders
- h9ghbinders
- h8ghbinders
- hifhbinders
- hivhbinders
- hibhbinders
- hihhbinders
- hiyhbinders
- hithbinders
- higgbinders
Etymology of HIGHBINDERS
The term "highbinders" originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It is derived from the Chinese word "hái-bīn", which means "society members" or "associates". The term was commonly used to refer to the members of Chinese secret societies who engaged in illegal activities such as smuggling, extortion, and organized crime.
The highbinders were organized into groups known as tongs, and they operated primarily in Chinese immigrant communities, particularly in cities like San Francisco and New York. The word "highbinders" was initially used by Westerners to describe these criminal elements within the Chinese community.
Over time, the term "highbinders" became more widely used to refer to any criminal or gang member involved in illicit activities. It became a colloquial term used to denote individuals engaged in organized crime, irrespective of their cultural or ethnic background.
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