{"id":115,"date":"2021-10-12T19:15:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T19:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=115"},"modified":"2021-10-12T19:16:52","modified_gmt":"2021-10-12T19:16:52","slug":"chewing-the-fat-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/chewing-the-fat-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Chewing the Fat - Meaning, Usage and Origin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you meeting up with a friend to catch up with each other? Maybe you're getting together with a group to talk about a common subject in a lighthearted manner? If that's the case, you're going to spend some time \"chewing the fat<\/em><\/strong>\" with each other.<\/p>\n

Chewing the fat refers to having a conversation with other people you know about topics you enjoy. The conversation tone is informal and extensive,<\/u> lasting for a while. You could be meeting friends at your book club to chew the fat on the latest releases or chewing the fat<\/em> on the relationships in your lives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Let's unpack the origins and use cases for using \"chewing the fat<\/em>\" in conversation.<\/p>\n

Chewing the Fat Meaning<\/h2>\n

\"Chewing the fat<\/em>\" refers to a lighthearted discussion<\/u> you find engaging and entertaining<\/u>. Typically, you'll have this discussion with friends or family members<\/u> you haven't seen in a while. If you're chewing the fat, it means that you either talk or gossip about events in your lives<\/em> and give each other support and agreement.<\/p>\n

Chewing the Fat Example Usage<\/h2>\n

There are several ways to use \"chewing the fat<\/em>\" in a sentence. Most of them refer to a pleasant outcome or anticipated meeting with friends or family.<\/u> Here are a few examples of how to use it in a sentence.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \"I meet up with the ladies from book club and, we spent hours chewing the fat<\/em> about everything going on in our lives.\"<\/li>\n
  • \"I met my brother to catch up and, we spent hours chewing the fat<\/em> about the past year's events.\"<\/li>\n
  • \"I saw Elaine at the shops and, we spent a few hours chewing the fat<\/em> about our old days hanging out at the mall.\"<\/li>\n
  • \"All our friends are coming over, and we'll spend some time chewing the fat<\/em>.\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Chewing the Fat Origin<\/h2>\n

    \"Chewing the fat<\/em>\" is an idiomatic expression used to describe lighthearted banter or gossip<\/strong> between friends or family members. Typically, it represents a random conversation<\/u>, but it can also define a planned-out scenario, such as an informal meeting.<\/p>\n

    The idiom has its origins in North America, where the Native American people<\/strong> would meet with settlers and talk about their cultures while chewing on some pork fat.<\/p>\n

    Some historians suggest the idiom may also come from the movement of the mouth when chewing fat. The phrase caught popular mention as a way to describe conversations held over long periods<\/strong>, typically a few hours, while chewing on pig fat.<\/p>\n

    British farmers would chew on fried pigs fat (crackling) while chatting with other farmers<\/u>. Sailors would also chew on pigs fat for hours to give them energy when out at sea and talking to other crew members<\/u>.<\/p>\n