Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
HEAD HONCHO/ HONCHO
The word honcho came to America via the South Pacific and Japan following World War II. It is derived from the Japanese word hanchō, which is a military term meaning squadron leader. The English language adaptation is a slang term used to mean chief or boss. Since the term head honcho, which is misused to mean the same thing, literally translates as “head boss,” it is redundant: the head of a group, squadron, or company is the boss. Who needs two heads (head head) when one will do?
Although linguists recommend (or being linguists, demand) that the term head honcho be relegated to the rubbish bin, it has found a place in American slang as a sarcastic term indicating a person who thinks zee is in charge even when not the official boss.
Incorrect: Bill is the head honcho of this department.
Correct: Bill is the honcho of this department.
Sarcastic Slang: Although Sheila has never been elected to any office of the club, she still thinks of herself as head honcho.
NOTE: Both honcho and head honcho are slang terms and should only be used when such language is appropriate. As slang goes, the term honcho is dated now anyway, so why use it at all unless writing dialogue for the 1950s?
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