old chap

American  

noun

Chiefly British: Older Use.

1. (used in informal direct address to a man of any age.)

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Etymology

Origin of old chap

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

“Easy there, Quinzy, old chap,” he said kindly.

From Literature

“No worries, Faucet old chap. I’ll buy you a new one,” Lord Fredrick offered.

From Literature

“But perhaps that’s a bad idea. The old chap came to a gooey, gruesome end, after all. What do you think, Quinzy? Is it bad luck to name the child Edward?”

From Literature

“Quinzy, old chap, I hate to cause trouble. I shall have to recuse myself. I abstain! In fact, I find it rather tedious to be a trustee. I don’t much like telling other people what to do. Count me out, if you please.”

From Literature

“She’s right, Edward old chap! The diary is written in verse. Miss Lumley is an expert in the poetic-meter department, and I’m a bit of a bard myself. Perhaps we could sort out the mystery together.”

From Literature