Dictionary

chin-chin en · INTJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˌt͡ʃɪnˈt͡ʃɪn/
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈt͡ʃɪnˌt͡ʃɪn/

Etymology

From Chinese Pidgin English chin-chin, a reduplication of Shanghainese 請 /请 (⁵chin, “please”). Sometimes, especially in Italianate spellings, reborrowed from Italian cincin.

Meanings

1. (dated) A salutation, especially a drinking toast.
   • The two junior members of the Chinese deputation came at the appointed hour. . . . On entering the door of the marquee they both made an abrupt stop, and resisted all solicitation to advance to chairs that had been prepared for them, until I should first be seated; in this dilemma, Dr. Buchanan, who had visited China, advised me what was to be done; I immediately seized on the foremost, whilst the Doctor himself grappled with the second; thus we soon fixed them in their seats, both parties during the struggle, repeating Chin Chin, Chin Chin, the Chinese term of salutation. 1795, Michael Symes, An Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava, page 295:

Forms

chin-chin en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˌt͡ʃɪnˈt͡ʃɪn/
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈt͡ʃɪnˌt͡ʃɪn/

Etymology

From Chinese Pidgin English chin-chin, a reduplication of Shanghainese 請 /请 (⁵chin, “please”). Sometimes, especially in Italianate spellings, reborrowed from Italian cincin.

Meanings

1. (dated, transitive) To greet; to toast.
   • She ‘chin-chins’ the captain... and then nods her pretty head. 1859, All the Year Round, number I, page 18:
2. (dated, intransitive) To say 'chin-chin'.
   • We ‘chin-chinned’ over foaming beakers. 1892 Sept, The Cornhill Magazine, page 268:
   • For the sake of appearances we chin-chinned and tried to look gay. 1966, Widow Hack, page 164:

Forms

chin-chin en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Duplication of chin in its various senses. Compare chinwag.

Meanings

1. (US, archaic, countable, informal, uncountable) Discussion, conversation, talk.
   • Mum and Mrs. Martin had a good chin-chin at the fence about sickness and husbands. 1947, Coast to Coast, page 136:
   • I haven't had so much chin-chin for years. 1877, Mark Twain, letter published in Love Letters (1949), p. 198

Forms