chipped chopped ham en · NOUN
Etymology
From chipped (past participle of chip, referring to being thinly shaved) + chopped (“finely cut”) + ham. The term is strongly associated with the Pittsburgh region of Pennsylvania, where Isaly's delicatessens popularized the product in the mid-20th century.
Meanings
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(Pennsylvania, Western, qualifier:chiefly Pittsburgh area, uncountable) A finely ground, processed luncheon meat, typically made of spiced ham loaf shaved into thin chips; especially associated with delicatessens and home cooking in Western Pennsylvania.
Is there a Western Pennsylvanian who hasn’t eaten Isaly's chipped chopped ham? When you traveled and saw one, you knew they’d have Klondikes and chipped ham...
2021 November 21, McMarlin, Shirley, “Isaly's chipped ham, Klondikes celebrated in new historical book”, in TribLive:When I went looking for a chipped chopped ham barbecue sandwich last year as a new Pittsburgher, it was frustratingly hard to find. The classic Pittsburgh sandwich, made with thinly sliced pressed ham cooked in barbecue sauce, is available only at a few places with a long memory.
2025 November 17, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: