Part 1 of my politically correct database. It seems that today you have to be politically correct, though there are a slew of phrases of questionable content. Today: chinese firedrills.
Source: wikipedia.org
Apparently, during World War II, the British, called inept pilots 'one wing low.' Thinking the phrase sounded like something in chinese, they began to use the word 'chinese' in replace of 'one wing low.' It doesn't make much sense, I know, reread what I wrote until you reach the sensible revelation. Anyway, chinese fire drills thus became known as such because the point of them is utter mayhem and confusion, much like a poor pilot would cause while flying a plane. It has nothing to do with Chinese people themselves, but more an issue of syntax.
Even more interesting, there are different kinds of fire drills:
Chinese Fire Drill (distinctions): Comes in two varieties, Mandarin & Cantonese. The classic Mandarin is what most consider a normal Chinese Fire Drill, consisting of exiting the car, running around it, and getting back in. The Cantonese is slightly different, taking place without opening any doors of the car and often keeping the car in motion. An extremely dangerous revamp is to include the driver in this method. Safety note: Always have one person operating the steering wheel and concentrating on the road!
Korean Fire Drill: Executed with more than one car. This is seen when one car stops behind another at a red light and the occupants of both get out and switch cars (often including the drivers). Slightly more reckless than any of the the standard Chinese varieties.
Mongolian Fire Drill: Performed on the subway. When the train comes to a stop, participants exit through the doors and re-enter the car at another set of doors. Often, each goes out a different door (switching seats is also an option here). A common variation on this is to leave one car and get back on the train at the next car down.
Don't try this at home, kids.
I plan on doing a Mandarin firedrill at least once in my life.
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sounds fun.
"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exporing will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." --T.S. Eliot