Chuck on the chin

Posted by R. Berg on November 16, 2002

In Reply to: Chuck on the chin posted by Wudchook on November 16, 2002

: : : : I never really wondered why people in Yorkshire use "chuck" as a term of endearment in the same way I never wondered about why "luv" or "duck" were used in the same way. Well now I know. I was reading MacBeth last night (I think I can say the name since I'm not an actor) and discovered MacBeth referring to his wife as "chuck". I wondered if maybe her name was Charlotte - but no. "Chuck" is an old way of saying the word "chick".

: : : : So apologies in advance if everyone already knew this. I just though it was interesting.

: : : : Camel

: : : I did not know that. Very interesting.

: : In Yorkshire, and in Lancashire too, chuck is indeed a term of endearment as MsCamel points out. It's pronounced to rhyme with "look", and it's worth noting that there's a homonym, "chook", which means, yes you've guessed it... chicken.

: Speaking of chucks as endearments, does anyone know the origin of "chuck on the chin?"

Maybe not. OED: "In 16th c. 'chock'; of uncertain origin; cf. F. 'choquer' in sense of to give a shock to, to knock; but prob. mainly onomatopoeic." 1st quotations as a verb: 1583, 1594.