chin-chin
AmericanEtymology
Origin of chin-chin
First recorded in 1785–95; from Chinese qǐng-qǐng literally, “please, please,” used as a greeting and as a toast in drinking
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was reminded of going back to the village with his mother at Christmas, aunties offering him plates of chin-chin.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ugwu did not remember his name, but he tended to eat up all the chin-chin right after it was served, so Ugwu had taken to placing the tray as far away from him as possible.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Would you like Ugwu to bring you some chin-chin? They’re fantastic; he made them this morning.”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
She sat upright on the sofa, legs crossed like an unfamiliar guest, and refused the chin-chin Ugwu brought on a saucer.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A plate of chin-chin was balanced on top of the drinks.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Last week Veteran Adman Emerson Foote, 50, a prototype for one of the leading characters in Wakeman's fiction, took the advice in real life, chin-chinned with himself and with his associates and spun the compass.
From Time Magazine Archive
The host chin-chinned as they approached, and welcomed them to his establishment.
From The Three Admirals by J.R. Wells
"He was so very glad to see me, and chin-chinned most violently, regretting his inability to give me a present, which I told him was not the custom of our people."
From Boys' Book of Famous Soldiers by J. Walker (Joseph Walker) McSpadden
“Chin-chin,” said he—“that is, if you’ve no particular objection to chin-chinning with a putative criminal of the d’p’st dye?”
From The Bandbox by Louis Joseph Vance
Mr. Compradore appeared on the poop, "chin-chinning," while we strangers were looking with admiration at the activity of his men in the boat.
From Trade and Travel in the Far East or Recollections of twenty-one years passed in Java, Singapore, Australia and China. by G. F. Davidson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
