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English Idioms: Chew the Fat

Chew the Fat means to have an aimless conversation or spend time chatting or gossiping. The phrase is believed to originate from the comparison between…

Chew the Fat

To have an aimless conversation or spend time chatting or gossiping.

Etymology / Origin

It is believed that the phrase originates from the comparison between jaw movements during chewing and speaking.2

According to other sources, the phrase comes from sailors chewing bacon during their conversations during their leisure time on ships, as well as from British farmers chewing smoked pork during their conversations in their free time.

There are other theories, but none are supported by evidence.

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