Words of One Syllable

The true co-operation And willingness to pool One's knowledge and experience At the Bureau's weekly school, Was displayed again last Friday; But I 've one remark, to wit, 'Twas Hongkong meals referred to As being paid by CHIT. There's a dunner in the doorway Who demands his weekly dole, Ere we pass the lunch-room portals, And in cash collects the toll.

We were told, 'midst other items Of a very useful kind, That, when opening up an office, In Hongkong, we first should find A proper Chinese business name, What's known out there as HONG; But be careful that we take advice, Or we may get it wrong. There was once a most exalted firm, Wise in its own conceit, And the name they chose meant "humbug"— Maybe true, but indiscreet!

The British have the highest name For dealings, just and fair; And this is, as our speaker said, An asset anywhere. Then, to induce your customer To listen, look and stop, Just choose yourself a trademark Known to Chinamen as CHOP; Make it simple, make it easy, A design to catch the eye, Introducing what you want to sell To someone who will buy.