Also chitlin. [See CHITTERLING.]
1. Another form of CHITTERLING: widely used in Eng. dialects, and in U.S.: cf. also CHIDLING.
1886. Cole, S. W. Lincolnsh. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Chitlings.
1887. Boston (Mass.), Jrnl., 31 Dec., 2/4. A dish of smoking sausages was flanked by a dish of chitlins.
1888. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., Chitlings the small intestines of the pigusually fried as a great delicacy amongst the poor.
1888. Addy, Sheffield Gl., s.v., To beg the chitlings of pigs.
1888. Oxford & Berksh. Gl., Chidlings or chitlings.
2. fig. Rags, tatters, shreds. U.S.
1847. Robb, Squatter Life, 135 (Bartlett). They wur tarin my character all to chitlins up at home.
1855. Haliburton, Nat. & Hum. Nat., II. 47 (Bartlett). They did all they could to tear my reputation to chitlins.