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UKHead honcho
/hˈɛd hˈɒntʃəʊ/
/hˈɛd hˈɑːntʃoʊ/Head honcho
[NOUN]1
a person of great importance or influence
What is the origin of the idiom "head honcho" and when to use it?
The exact origin of the term "head honcho" is believed to have originated from the Japanese language during the American occupation of Japan after World War II. It is thought that American soldiers picked up the Japanese word "hancho," which means "squad leader" or "group leader," and brought it back with them to the United States. Over time, the term "hancho" was anglicized to "honcho," and its meaning evolved to refer to someone who is in charge or a boss.
Examples
1. An assistant or associate producer works under the head honcho producer.
2. But the head honcho, right here, is the pituitary gland, about the size of a pea, nestled at the base of your brain.
3. You might have heard that another notorious gangster inspired Scarface's Head Honcho, Tony Montana, Chicago
4. However, the head honcho of that company saw me on TV with his corporate uniform on, and said, "Wait a second, this is a huge liability to me, but it's also an opportunity."
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