sycee (English)
Where does "sycee" come from?
The English word 'sycee' entered the language from Cantonese '細絲' (sai³ si¹, meaning 'fine silk')[1]. This name has been explained either by the ability of the bullion to be worked into fine strands or by the specific luster of the silver resembling silk[1].
Open questions
- The exact motivation behind applying the term for fine silk to these imperial currency ingots remains open to alternative explanations. [1]
Full etymology tree
- sycee (English), 'Any of various gold or silver ingots used as currency in imperial China.'
- borrowed 細絲 /细丝 (sai3 si1) (Cantonese)
Sources
Updated September 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris