ding-ding n. a streetcar or trolley. Editorial Note: Athough this term is specific to Hong Kong, in Japan streetcars are sometimes called chin chin densha, meaning ‘ding ding trains.’ Etymological Note: Imitative of the sound of a bell. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In Japanese, an irresistibly cute baby might be described with an expression that translates as “Even if I put it in my eye, it wouldn’t hurt.” It’s a form of what psychologists call cute aggression, or the overwhelming urge to squeeze, crush, or...
On a busy day in the emergency room, Alisa of Dallas, Texas, told an efficient colleague that she was really humming, meaning it as a compliment. Her colleague took offense, maintaining that humming meant “smelly.” Since the 18th century, English...