subs. (colloquial).—An incessant talker; used contemptuously of adults and playfully of children. [From CHATTER, gabble + BOX, a receptacle; metaphorically, a box full of chatter Cf., BAG OF BONES.] A variant is CHATTER-BONES (q.v.). For synonyms, see CLACK-BOX.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. CHATTER BOX, one whose tongue runs twelve score to the dozen; a chattering man or woman.
1840. DICKENS, The Old Curiosity Shop [C.D. ed.], p. 93. A set of idle CHATTERBOXES.
1878. E. JENKINS, Haverholme, p. 52. A mere political CHATTERBOX.
