The true origin of the name of this relish are unknown and debated. Some say that u0022chowu0022 resembles the French word for cabbageu002du002du0022chou.u0022 And when the Acadian people of Nova Scotia were expelled and moved to Louisiana, that's when chow-chow made its way to the South. Others say it originated from China via the Chinese railroad workers in the 1800s who made a similar relish.