moo goo gai pan

noun

ˈmü-ˈgü-ˈgī-ˈpan 

: a dish typically consisting of sliced chicken stir-fried with mushrooms and vegetables and served in a light sauce

… moo goo gai pan has been around longer than many of the other Americanized 'Chinese' dishes. In fact, Americans have been able to order it at their local Chinese restaurants since the 1950s or earlier.

—Jess Bolluyt

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from a Chinese dialect source akin to Guangdong dialect mòhgū gāipin, from mòhgū "mushroom" + gāi "chicken" + pin "slice"

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above