Chinking

/ˈtʃɪŋkɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The material (such as clay, moss, mud, or mortar) used to fill the gaps between logs in log cabin construction, or the process of filling these gaps.

Etymology

Gerund/present participle of 'chink,' from Middle English 'chinken,' related to Old English and imitative origins referring to cracks and gaps.

Kelly Says

Modern log cabin owners still spend significant money on professional chinking—it's not just a quaint historical term, it's a thriving industry because poorly maintained chinking leads to thousands of dollars in heating costs and wood decay.

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