sb. Also -rickisha, -riksha, (jenny-, jinnyrickshaw). [a. Japanese jin-riki-sha (j = ʓ), f. jin man + riki strength, power + sha vehicle.] A light two-wheeled hooded vehicle having springs and two shafts, drawn by one or more men. First used in Japan c. 1870, but now common in other parts of the world; colloq. shortened to rickshaw.
1874. Lady Herbert, trans. Hübner’s Ramble (1878), II. iv. 280. The jinrikisha only came into existence a year or two ago.
1876. Times, 18 Aug., 10/3. (Stanf.). We take seven jin-rick-shas, each with two runners, to convey ourselves and baggage.
1880. Miss Bird, Japan, I. 18. The kuruma or jin-ri-ki-sha consists of a light perambulator body, an adjustible hood of oiled paper, a velvet or cloth lining and cushion, a well for parcels under the seat, two high slim wheels, and a pair of shafts connected by a bar at the ends.
1895. C. Roper, Zigzag Travels, II. 169. It is curious to remember that these jinrikishas are not really Japanese at all. They were invented by a missionary, W. Goble, about 1870.
Hence Jinricksha v. intr., to ride in a jinricksha.
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 5 Feb., 3/1. Chumming with Chinamen, jinrickshaing with Japanese,… palavering with Peruvians.
