嘍囉

Etymology
.

Attested since the period. It is likely that this was initially an ideophonic, reduplicative and onomatopoeic word, imitating the indistinct and incomprehensible speech of barbarians.

Many recent studies have favoured the view that the two syllables in this word represent phonetic approximations of the four syllabic liquid consonants in, ,  and , which are sounds in Buddhist chants that are minimally distinctive to the Chinese ear.

The word has a wide range of meanings; has proposed the following semantic development:
 * “Unintelligible and abstruse speech” > both “noisy and tedious” and “bright and capable” > “capable person; heroic man” > “villains; outlaws; bandits”.

Throughout history, many theories have been put forth by imperial Chinese scholars to explain the origin of the term, but most of these are now considered folk etymologies.

Noun

 * 1) follower of villains; minion; underling; subordinate
 * 2)  capable person; true man
 * 3)  rank and file of a band of outlaws
 * 1)  rank and file of a band of outlaws

Descendants

 * (via Teochew)

Adjective

 * 1)  speaking in an indistinct and unintelligible manner; gabbling; jabbering
 * 2)  noisy; clamorous; disturbing; winding; tedious
 * 3)  clever and capable; bright and skilful; astute and experienced; shrewd
 * 1)  clever and capable; bright and skilful; astute and experienced; shrewd