Winding him up

Posted by Pdianek on July 24, 2003

In Reply to: Winding him up posted by Kit on July 24, 2003

: : : : : : 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!

: : : : Is the British equivalent "winding him up"? Or is that kidding someone?

: : : 'Kidding' is a pretty good way of describing 'winding up'. However, 'to wind up' sombody can be quite deliberately nasty with the object of getting the person to lose their temper. It seems a perverse pass time, but people do it.

: : Thanks for the explanation. Between this board and BBC America I can almost understand you guys.

: All you need to watch on BBC America is Red Dwarf. This progamme sums up our entire culture, without refering to it once.

Is it winding up, long I, as in winding a watch or a rope?

• Winding him up Shae 07/24/03
  • Winding him up ESC 07/24/03
    • Chop, chop Henry 07/25/03
      • Chop, chop. Winding up and winding down James Briggs 07/25/03
        • Chop, chop. Winding up and winding down Bob 07/25/03