Chippie

/ˈtʃɪpi/ noun

Definition

British informal term for a fish and chips shop; also Australian/New Zealand slang for a carpenter or chipboard material.

Etymology

From chip (as in fish and chips) + diminutive -ie suffix; the term emerged in British English in the 20th century and developed different meanings in different English-speaking countries.

Kelly Says

The same word 'chippie' has completely different meanings depending on where you are in the English-speaking world—in London it's a place to get dinner, in Sydney it's a tradesperson, showing how English fragmented into regional varieties with their own unique vocabularies.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

British slang for a woman of loose morals or a fish-and-chips shop worker; the gendered pejorative use emerged in mid-20th century British vernacular and reflected misogynist assumptions about working-class women.

Inclusive Usage

In contexts referring to fish-and-chips shops or workers, use 'chip shop' or 'fish-and-chips worker' for clarity and neutrality. Avoid the pejorative gendered application entirely.

Inclusive Alternatives

["chip shop","fish-and-chips worker","chip shop worker"]

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