OK, here goes:
In episode The Jinn Who Clears the Way of the classic series Hawaii Five-O (episode 5.5, October 10, 1972), McGarrett has finally collared arch-nemesis Wo Fat, only to be told by the Feds that he must turn him loose.
As Wo Fat leaves McGarrett’s office, when he reaches the door, he turns to his hosts (McGarrett and the Fed, Agent Jonathan Kaye, ably protrayed by Joseph Sirola), bows, and very graciously tells each “Sai jen!.”
At least that’s what it sounded like. Since actor [sup]1[/sup]Kenneth Dickerson, who played Wo Fat, was about as Chinese as [sup]2[/sup]William Pratt, [sup]3[/sup]Laszlo Lowenstein, and [sup]4[/sup]Johan Olund, it could be that that pronunciation is not even close (forget about what tones it should have).
So. . . (assuming anyone can figure what it was supposed to be), what does it mean? Just a cordial Chinese “good-bye?” Or something more sinister or foreboding? Any ideas???
[sup]1[/sup]Better known as Khigh Dhiegh–from New Jersey.
[sup]2[/sup]Better known as Boris Karloff, who played Chinese detective Mr. Wong–from the UK
[sup]3[/sup]Better known as Peter Lorre, who played Chinese detective Mr. Moto–a Jewish Hungarian
[sup]4[/sup]Better known as Warner Oland, who played Chinese detective Charlie Chan–a Swede