A Chinese word signifying quality; first introduced by mariners in the China trade, but which has now become common in all our sea-ports. Originally the word was only applied to silks, teas or other goods from China; now it is applied to everything, for we hear of first chop teas, first chop tobacco, and first chop potatoes.
A smart little hoss, says I, you are a cleaning of; he looks like a first chop article.--Sam Slick in England, ch. 2.
I went to board at a famous establishment in Broadway, where sundry young merchants of the first chop were wont to board.
Perils of Pearl St.
to chop
"To drop and change," is an old expression which we still make use of, meaning to change often, to shift about. It is also applied particularly to the wind, so that a 'chopping wind or sea' is one that is constantly changing its direction.
For we are not as many are, which choppe and chaunge with the worde of God; but even oute of purenesse, and by the power of God, and in the syghte of God, so spake we of Chryste.--Bible, 1551. 2 Cor. ch. 2.
Long time you fought, redoubl'd battery bore,
But after all, against yourself you swore--
Your former self, for ev'ry hour you form,
Is chopp'd and chang'd, like winds before a storm.
Dryden.
The wind was at south-east, south-south-east, and south; which brought in a short chopping sea.
Cook's Voyages.