▪ I. chit-chat, n.
(ˈtʃɪttʃæt)
[Formed by reduplication from chat n.1; cf. tittle-tattle, bibble-babble, etc. The reduplication implies repetition or reciprocation, possibly with diminutive effect. Johnson says ‘A word only used in ludicrous conversation’; it is now quite serious, though familiar.]
1. Light chat; light familiar conversation.
| 1710 Palmer Proverbs 52 'Tis the custom of foolish people..in their chit chat to be always biting people's reputation behind their back. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 210 The dear Prattler..began such a bewitching Chit-chat with Mrs. Jervis. 1746 Chesterfield Lett. I. cxii. 306 The frivolous chit-chat of idle companies. 1824 Coleridge Aids Refl. (1848) I. 179, I take up a book as a companion, with whom I can have an easy cheerful chit-chat. 1847 Man in Moon Jan. I. 3 Trifles that may..promote chit-chat and pleasant feelings, which we hold to be the great end of a dessert. |
2. Matter of current gossip or common small talk; what people are talking about.
| 1710 Steele Tatler No. 197 ¶3 If Ralph had Learning added to the common Chit-Chat of the Town. 1761 Sterne Tr. Shandy III. xxiv. 124 Play-wrights, and opificers of chit-chat. 1843 Lever J. Hinton xi. 74 One was sure to hear all the chit-chat and gossip of the day. 1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. xxiii, An additional scrap of local chit-chat. |
b. attrib.
| 1714 Spect. No. 560 ¶4, I am a Member of a Female Society who call ourselves the Chit-Chat Club. 1819 Month. Rev. XC. 1 The careless chit-chat letters of eminent men. |
▪ II. chit-chat, v.
[f. the n.]
intr. To gossip; = chat v.1 3. Hence chit-chatting vbl. n.
| 1821 P. Egan Life in London ii. i. 151 Riding round the circle to chit-chat and nod to her friends. 1823 T. Carlyle Let. 26 Mar. (1909) I. 187 What expounding and reading and chitchatting we shall have together. 1849 T. M. Garrett Diary 2 Aug. in Amer. Speech (1951) 182/2 Setting upon the door steps of the building chit chatting about nothing. |