‘During the war it became an annual habit to travel to a hill just outside the village to pick chincherinchees or snowdrops as they were known.’
‘One of the common names of this flower is chincherinchees.’
‘The giant chincherinchee is an attractive, easily cultivated garden plant and produces eye-catching, long-lasting flowers that are very suitable for as cut flowers.’
‘The South Africans know them as ‘tjenkenrientjee’ which is where the odd English name chincherinchee comes from.’
‘A group of chincherinchees makes an attractive display.’
Origin
Early 20th century imitative of the squeaky sound made by rubbing its stalks together.
Are You Learning English? Here Are Our Top English Tips