Winding him up

Posted by ESC on July 24, 2003

In Reply to: Winding him up posted by Shae on July 24, 2003

: : : : : : : : In Brooklyn and other places in the NYC area it is customary to refer to giving someone a hard time as "busting his chops". I've also heard it used to indicate teasing "Hey, I'm just busting your chops".

: : : : : : : : Anyway, I'm wondering where it comes from and especially what the "chops" are. Any ideas?

: : : : : : : That'll teach me to ask questions before my morning coffee!

: : : : : : Is the British equivalent "winding him up"? Or is that kidding someone?

: : : : : 'Kidding' is a pretty good way of describing 'winding up'. However, 'to wind up' sombody can be quite deliberately nasty with the object of getting the person to lose their temper. It seems a perverse pass time, but people do it.

: : : : Thanks for the explanation. Between this board and BBC America I can almost understand you guys.

: : : All you need to watch on BBC America is Red Dwarf. This progamme sums up our entire culture, without refering to it once.

: : Is it winding up, long I, as in winding a watch or a rope?

: It's as in winding a watch.

Red Dwarf. I'll watch it. Mostly I watch "Changing Rooms" so now I think none of you have adequate closet space. There's probably more to learn, isn't there?

• Chop, chop Henry 07/25/03
  • Chop, chop. Winding up and winding down James Briggs 07/25/03
    • Chop, chop. Winding up and winding down Bob 07/25/03