where did the phrase gung ho come from

The phrase “gung ho” has its roots in China, but it was popularized in the United States by the Marines. Here’s the breakdown:

• Origin: The term likely originated from a Chinese phrase, 工合 (gōnghé), meaning “work together” or “work in harmony.”
• Military connection: Lt. Col. Evans Carlson, a Marine observer in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), was impressed by the teamwork he saw among Chinese troops. He adopted “gung ho” as a motto for his own Marine unit, the 2nd Raider Battalion.
• Shifting meaning: While Carlson intended it to mean cooperation, over time, “gung ho” took on a slightly different meaning in the Marines. It came to describe someone who was overly enthusiastic or energetic.
• Pop culture boost: The phrase gained wider popularity in the US thanks to a 1943 movie titled “Gung Ho!” featuring Marines.