honcho

(hänc̸hō)

noun pl. honchos

Slang a person in charge; leader; chief

Origin: < Jpn hanchō, squad leader

transitive verb honchoed, honchoing

Slang to take charge of; act as leader of

See honcho in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. hon·chos
One who is in charge; a manager or leader: “Now that Hollywood honchos have discovered the verdant beachfront villages, the stores have grown in scope and sophistication” (David Field).
transitive verb hon·choed, hon·cho·ing, hon·chos
To direct or manage: “He . . . is honchoing preparations for the forthcoming . . . economic summit” (Newsweek).

Origin:

Origin: Japanese hanchō, squad leader

Origin: : han, squad (from Middle Chinese pa·n, arrangement, class)

Origin: + chō, chief (from Middle Chinese trɨaᶇ)

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