chin-chin

alternative chinchin · alternative chin chin · alternative cincin · alternative cin cin

1. datedA salutation, especially a drinking toast.

   1 more example

   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

present singular third person chin-chins · participle present chin-chinning · participle past chin-chinned · past chin-chinned · alternative chinchin · alternative chin chin · alternative cincin · alternative cin cin

1. datedtransitiveTo greet; to toast.

   She ‘chin-chins’ the captain... and then nods her pretty head.

   1859, All the Year Round, number I, page 18

2. datedintransitiveTo say 'chin-chin'.

   We ‘chin-chinned’ over foaming beakers.

   1892 Sept, The Cornhill Magazine, page 268

   1 more example

   For the sake of appearances we chin-chinned and tried to look gay.

   1966, Widow Hack, page 164

plural chin-chins

1. USarchaiccountableinformaluncountableDiscussion, conversation, talk.

   I haven't had so much chin-chin for years.

   1877, Mark Twain, letter published in Love Letters (1949), p. 198

   1 more example

   Mum and Mrs. Martin had a good chin-chin at the fence about sickness and husbands.

   1947, Coast to Coast, page 136

plural chin-chins

1. alternativecountableuncountableAlternative form of chin chin (“Nigerian snack food”).