[Formed by reduplication from CHAT sb.1; cf. tittle-tattle, bibble-babble, etc. The reduplication implies repetition or reciprocation, possibly with diminutive effect. Johnson says ‘A word only used in ludicrous conversation’: it is now quite serious, though familiar.]
1. Light chat; light familiar conversation.
1710. Palmer, Proverbs, 52. ’Tis the custom of foolish people … in their chit chat to be always biting people’s reputation behind their back.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 210. The dear Prattler … began such a bewitching Chit-chat with Mrs. Jervis.
1746. Chesterf., Lett., I. cxii. 306. The frivolous chit-chat of idle companies.
1824. Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 179. I take up a book as a companion, with whom I can have an easy cheerful chit-chat.
1847. Man in Moon, Jan. I. 3. Trifles that may … promote chit-chat and pleasant feelings, which we hold to be the great end of a dessert.
2. Matter of current gossip or common small talk; what people are talking about.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 197, ¶ 3. If Ralph had Learning added to the common Chit-Chat of the Town.
1761. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, III. xxiv. 124. Play-wrights, and opificers of chit-chat.
1843. Lever, J. Hinton, xi. 74. One was sure to hear all the chit-chat and gossip of the day.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xxiii. 285. An additional scrap of local chit-chat.
b. attrib.
1714. Spect., No. 569, ¶ 4. I am a Member of a Female Society who call ourselves the Chit-Chat Club.
1819. Month. Rev., XC. The careless chit-chat letters of eminent men.
