Green’s Dictionary of Slang

chin v.

1. (US, also bid chin-chin, chin-chin) to chatter, to talk to/with; thus chinning n., idle conversation, chatter [chin n.2 (1)].

[Ire]Cork Examiner 12 Apr. 2/6: We join a respectable-looking set and ‘chin-chin’ over small cups of tea.
Santa Cruz 28 July 1/5: ‘Shoot the chinning,’ cried the President, ‘Will you never tumble?’ [DA].
[Aus]Bulletin (Sydney) 9 July 9/1: We looked in to bid Dominic Sonsee, Esquire, chin-chin one day last week.
[US]J. Hay Bread-Winners (1884) 161: You haven’t done a — thing but lay around on the grass and eat peanuts and hear Bott chin.
[US]Ade Artie (1963) 35: He turned around sideways in his seat and begins chinnin’ her.
[UK]‘Pot’ & ‘Swears’ Scarlet City 190: We’ll chin-chin over what’s to be done.
[US]‘Hugh McHugh’ John Henry 65: From the moment you reach for your cue the sofa-pounders cut loose and chin you to a call-down.
[US]Ade ‘Cupid in Buttons’ in In Babel 180: He walked over to the sofa an’ started in to chin that thin Morrison girl that wears the glasses.
[UK]Harrington & LeBrunn [perf. Vesta Tilley] I want to have a Chinese Honeymoon 🎵 And when he started grinning, she longed to hear him ‘'chinning’.
[Aus]Sun. Times (Perth) 3 Dec. 4/7: ’Twas Mulga Mick from Mertondale who on his boot-heels sat / And chinned on things in general, and as to this and that.
[US]S. Ford Shorty McCabe 228: We chins awhile there, and the Bishop tells me how’s he been out to lay a cornerstone,.
[Aus]E. Dyson ‘Barracking’ in Benno and Some of the Push 141: His chinnin’ aboard the train was th’ chatter iv th’ man what ain’t mistaken, ... ‘n’ never will be.
H. Green ‘Troubles of Two Girls’ in S.F. Chron. 8 June 31/1: I was chinnin’ with the key clerk this morning.
[US]R. Lardner Big Town 162: After supper we’d set round and chin or play rummy.
[US]W.R. Burnett Little Caesar (1932) 223: I got business or I’d stick around and chin with you.
[UK]E. Glyn Flirt & Flapper 8: Gee! It’s queer to sit and chin with a picture.
C. Drew ‘Gorilla Grogan’ in Bulletin (Sydney) 26 July 40/2: Leavin’ Gorilla to chin to the barman, I waltzed across to Snatcher.
[US]W. Winchell On Broadway 27 Oct. [synd. col.] Katherine Hepburn, the attractive icicle, in the Waldorf foyer, chinning with Sam Goldwyn.
[US]E. Knight Lassie Come-Home 81: I saw it twa days back when I were up chinnin’ to McWheen.
Chicago Sun 4 June 16: Let’s go to the coffee joint and chin-chin! [DA].
[US]‘Blackie’ Audett Rap Sheet 112: I would drop out and chin with him every day or two.
[UK]A. Sillitoe ‘The Fishing-Boat Picture’ Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1960) 81: I could have got it for less, but I’d rather pay an extra bob than go through five minutes of chinning.
[US]W.R. Burnett Widow Barony 202: Maybe she was sick of Tomásians and would like to chin about the States.
[US]S. King Christine 12: Nice chinning with you boys. So long.
[UK]Observer Rev. 27 June 11: He’s just dealing with the stress of the talk-show host he produces chinning a guest.

2. (orig. Glasgow) to hit someone (on the chin).

[US]N. Ames Mariner’s Sketches 93: On certain days the Chinese ‘chin-chin’ for Josh [i.e Joss] as they call it, which is the nearest approach to worship I ever saw.
[US]Comet (Johnson City, TN) 18 June 2/6: I got fined seven dollars for chinnin’ a cop who had collared my brother.
[UK]P. Allingham Cheapjack 59: I was having a bit of a barney with a gorgie there, when he ups and calls me a bastard. Of course I chinned him.
C. Drew ‘The Unbeliever’ in Bulletin (Sydney) 13 June 50/1: [T]he drawcard was a heavy- weight we had christened Slugger Ryan after a scrapper who was makin’ a name for himself chinnin’ all-comers.
[UK]R. Llewellyn None But the Lonely Heart 100: I had to chin her.
[UK]I. & P. Opie Lore and Lang. of Schoolchildren (1977) 216: I’ll chin you.
[UK]N. Dunn Up the Junction 88: I’m in trouble, I hit a policeman – chinned him.
[UK]G.F. Newman You Flash Bastard 171: The cab fare the driver was striping him for, brought him up with a jolt. Briefly he considered the driver, debating whether to drag him from his cab and chin him, or settle the fare.
[UK]J. Sullivan ‘The Long Legs of the Law’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] I’ll chin you, I will.
[UK]Metro 3 Aug. 3: Des often looked ready to chin him.
[UK]N. ‘Razor’ Smith A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun 116: Johnny chinned him, and the fight was on.
[UK]N. Bradley ‘Blind Old Kate’ 🌐 When the bloke replied, ‘p yours...’ Alf chinned him.
[Ire]P Howard Braywatch 17: I’d love to deck him [...] chinning the focker.

3. (US) to eat.

A. Baer Rabid Rudolph 4 Dec. [synd. col.] He gobbles up the All-American stuff like a mouse chinning cheese.