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Chopsocky

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Chopsocky (alternately spelled "chop-socky"[1]) is a colloquial term applied to a diffuse group of martial arts movies, kung fu films made primarily in Hong Kong and Taiwan between the late 1960s and early 1980s, and computer/video games. The term was coined by the American motion picture trade magazine Variety.[1] The word is a play on chop suey, combining "chop" (as in karate chop; a strike with the edge of the hand) and "sock" (as in a punch).

The term was usually characterized by over-blown story-lines, cheesy special effects (particularly exaggerated and sometimes-bizarre sound effects during the actual fight scenes), and excessive violence. These movies also were known for their clumsy dubbing. Although it is commonly used as if it were a name of martial arts cinema by the general media, the word can be a disparaging term against it as a whole. Another common meaning is a generalization for martial-art movies from Asia or Hong Kong in particular without necessarily having the negative spin connotation. Variety magazine, the originator of the term, defined Chopsocky simply as a martial arts film[2] with no negative connotations.

References

  1. ^ a b YourDictionary.com: "Chopsocky"
  2. ^ "Slanguage Dictionary". Variety.