sycee (English)
Where does "sycee" come from?
The word 'sycee' originates from the Cantonese term 'sai³ si¹', which translates to 'fine silk'. This name was applied to Chinese gold or silver ingots, likely because the precious metal possessed a luster similar to silk or could be worked into incredibly delicate, thread-like strands. Over time, the term was adopted into English to describe these historical units of bullion, which retain their name today even when crafted from paper for ceremonial offerings.
Full etymology tree
- sycee (English), 'Any of various gold or silver ingots used as currency in imperial China.'
- derived 細絲 (sai³ si¹) (Cantonese)
- compound 細 (sai³) (Cantonese)
- compound 絲 (si¹) (Cantonese)
- derived 細絲 (sai³ si¹) (Cantonese)
Updated July 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris