[In Chinese and in ‘pigeon-English’ chop means ‘quick’; ‘quick sticks’ would be a kind of equivalent of the Chinese name, k’wâi-tsze, i.e., ‘nimble boys,’ ‘nimble ones.’] pl. The two small sticks or slips of bone, wood, ivory, or the like, held between the thumb and fingers of one hand by the Chinese in place of a fork for conveying food to the mouth.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. I. iv. 84–5. At their ordinary eating, instead of Forks and Spoons, they use two small round sticks about the length and bigness of a Tobacco-pipe. They hold them both in the right hand, one between the fore-finger and thumb; the other between the middle-finger and the fore-finger…. They are called by the English Seamen Chopsticks.
1711. C. Lockyer, Acc. Trade India, 174 (Y.). They take it very dexterously with a couple of small Chopsticks, which serve them instead of Forks.
1862. L. Oliphant, Elgin’s Mission to China, I. 215. The refined Chopstick replaced throughout the rude knife and fork of the West.
