Refine this word faster
Chin-chin
Definitions
- 1 A salutation, especially a drinking toast. dated
"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."
- 1 Discussion, conversation, talk. US, archaic, countable, informal, uncountable
"I haven't had so much chin-chin for years."
- 1 To greet; to toast. dated, transitive
"She ‘chin-chins’ the captain... and then nods her pretty head."
- 2 To say 'chin-chin'. dated, intransitive
"We ‘chin-chinned’ over foaming beakers."
Etymology
From Chinese Pidgin English chin-chin, a reduplication of Shanghainese 請 /请 (⁵chin, “please”). Sometimes, especially in Italianate spellings, reborrowed from Italian cincin.
From Chinese Pidgin English chin-chin, a reduplication of Shanghainese 請 /请 (⁵chin, “please”). Sometimes, especially in Italianate spellings, reborrowed from Italian cincin.
Duplication of chin in its various senses. Compare chinwag.
See also for "chin-chin"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: chinchin