chivey, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

chivey n.

[dial. chevy, to pursue, to hunt, to tease; ? ult. proper name Chevy Chase, the site of a celebrated border skirmish, memorialized in a popular 17C ballad. Also note the game Chevy Chase, which depends on the shouting of the word ‘chive’]

1. (also chivie) a scolding, a telling off.

c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: a Chivey. I gave him a Chivey. I gave him a Scolding or reprimands.
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn) n.p.: I gave him a good chivey; I gave him, a hearty scolding.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1920		Ade Hand-made Fables 301: The Cadburys had their Covey led into the Show Ring for Inspection, but just as the Maid distributed the Non-Skid Cocktails, the Little Ones got the Chivie.

2. a bother, a fuss, a hassle.

1861

(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor III 38/2: I never had the patience enough to try and kill fleas by my process; it would be too much of a chivey to please.

3. (also chive) a shout; a voice.

1859		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc. 20: CHIVE, or chivey, shout.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict. [as cit. 1859].
1873		Sl. Dict.
1898		J.D. Brayshaw Slum Silhouettes 28: Got a rippin’ good voice, ain’t he? It’s a knock-out. But you ought to ’eard him six years ago [...] he wos a champion then [...] tho’ his chivey ain’t much of a forchin to him now .