Don't bust my chops! It's in the archives... link enclosed

In Brooklyn and other places in the NYC area it is customary to refer to giving someone a hard time as "busting his chops". I've also heard it used to indicate teasing "Hey, I'm just busting your chops".

Anyway, I'm wondering where it comes from and especially what the "chops" are. Any ideas?

That'll teach me to ask questions before my morning coffee!

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