Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) talking, esp. chatting or arguing.

1885		Santa Fe Weekly New Mexican 1 Oct. 1/3: After a few minutes rag-chawing a verdict of ‘came to his death from unknown causes,’ is promptly rendered [DA].
1928		J. Callahan Man’s Grim Justice 11: Cut the rag chewing, will y’?
1933		J. Conroy Disinherited 146: Nobody enjoys your company or your rag-chewin’.
1948		‘Josephine Tey’ Franchise Affair (1954) 257: ‘After a lot of rag chewing—’ ‘Of what?,’ said his lordship. ‘A lot of discussion, my lord.’ ‘Go on,’ said his lordship, ‘but do confine yourself to English, standard or basic’.
1976		CBer’s Handy Atlas/Dictionary 31/1: jawbone - Ragchew; yakkety-yak.