Where does the "honcho" in head honcho mean?

Astroboy14 · February 6, 2001, 7:44am

Anyone? Also, what is it’s etmyology?

I though it was Spanish, but I can’t seem to find it in a Spanish dictionary…

dtilque · February 6, 2001, 8:01am

Honcho is Japanese for squad leader.

JeffB · February 6, 2001, 1:40pm

dtilque is right – honcho is of Japanese origin. A honcho is a group leader, so the head honcho is the big cheese.

samclem · February 7, 2001, 5:08am

First cited in 1947, Mirriam-Webster. IN the US, that is.