| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Chop and Chops. | | |
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Chop and change (To). To barter by the rule of thumb. Boys “chop” one article for another (Anglo-Saxon, cip-an, or ceáp-ian, to sell or barter). | 1 |
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A mutton chop is from the French coup-er, to cut off. A piece chopped off. | 2 |
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The wind chops about. Shifts from point to point suddenly. This is cip-an, to barter or change hands. (See above TO CHOP AND CHANGE.) | 3 |
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“How the House of Lords and House of Commons chopped round.”—Thackeray: The Four Georges (George I.). |
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