subs. (common).—A word; in pl. = speech, talk, GAB (q.v.); spec. (thieves’) prayers. TO CHOP THE WHINERS = to talk, to say prayers.
1830. BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p. 2, ed. 1854. I tell you, I vent first to Mother Bussblour’s, who, I knows, CHOPS THE WHINERS morning and evening to the young ladies.
1857. Punch, 31 Jan., p. 49, ‘Dear Bill, This Stone-jug.’
| For them coves in Guildhall and that blessèd LORD MAYOR, | |
| Prigs on their four bones should CHOP WHINERS, I swear. |
