chà đồ nhôm
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To pilfer things from one's own home to sell, usually for pocket money or a vice — nói lái of "chôm đồ nhà" (steal the house's stuff). Southern, humorous.
Literally: scrub the aluminium (lái: steal from home)
Register: humorous
Sources & notes
Lexicalized nói lái (Vietnamese spoonerism) expression; see /noilai for the mechanics.
Common questions
What does “chà đồ nhôm” mean?
To pilfer things from one's own home to sell, usually for pocket money or a vice — nói lái of "chôm đồ nhà" (steal the house's stuff). Southern, humorous. Literally: scrub the aluminium (lái: steal from home)
Is “chà đồ nhôm” formal or informal?
chà đồ nhôm is generally humorous.