English
Etymology
Perhaps from the WWI era, from the British practice of using Chinese as a slur; now used only as a festive exclamation.
wikipedia
Noun
en-noun|sg=Chinese fire drill
- offensive A prank performed while stopped in a car at a red-light; each passenger (including the driver) shouts "Chinese fire drill", exits the vehicle, runs at least once around it, then re-enters, taking a different seat.
- offensive A silly, pointless exercise.
Usage notes
Although this term has seemed to have lost all traces of an insulting meaning, it is possible some might be offended.
ru:Chinese fire drill
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