sb. Anglo-Chinese. [Chinese ts’ing ts’ing.] A phrase of salutation.
1795. Symes, Embassy to Ava (1800), 295 (Y.). We soon fixed them in their seats, both parties, during the struggle, repeating Chin Chin, Chin Chin, the Chinese term of salutation.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 15 April, 4/1. On the thirty-sixth day from Charing-cross a traveller can … be making his chin-chin to a Chinese mandarin.
Hence Chin-chin v., to salute, greet. Hence Chin-chinning vbl. sb.
1859. All Y. Round, No. 1. 18/2. She ‘chin-chins’ the captain … and then nods her pretty head.
1887. L. Wingfield, in Murray’s Mag., July, 89. We were received with much ceremony and chin-chinning.
