Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun Slang Scolding; clamorous or abusive talk.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of jaw.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Regiment, on another hill, and one of my company, were "jawing" at each other, when the Fourteenth man yelled out: "You go to h -."

    Humorous incidents of the Civil War, A.C McLeary 1902

  • In camp he gave Rajah much freedom, its wings being clipt; and nothing pleased the little rebel so much as to claw his way up to his master's shoulder, sit there and watch the progress of the razor, with intermittent "jawing" at his own reflection in the cracked hand-mirror.

    Parrot & Co. Harold MacGrath 1901

  • But, then, as she was over two thousand years old, and had lived for most of that time among cannibals, who did not understand her, one may excuse her for "jawing," as you say, a good deal, when she met white men.

    Letters on Literature Andrew Lang 1878

  • They had the hatches open, tackles aloft, and men at work below whilst the mariners of other countries would have been standing looking on and "jawing" upon the course to be taken.

    The Frozen Pirate 1877

  • He determined that when the boy broached the subject he would give him such a "jawing" (to use his own vernacular) "as would put an end to that nonsense."

    What Can She Do? Edward Payson Roe 1863

  • Why is it ok for BC player to come up and start "jawing" after a loss?

    Yahoo! Sports - Top News 2009

  • Unless you just want to stand here chin-jawing, that is. "

    The Drawing of the Three King, Stephen, 1947- 1987

  • "jawing," and that it would be strange if this was the only place where there was none; but not a word was said -- the people apparently are so ashamed of the conduct of the women when Mr. Philbrick was here and so indignant with the "Fripp People" that they are on their best behavior.

    Letters from Port Royal Written at the Time of the Civil War (1862-1868) Elizabeth Ware [Editor] Pearson

  • "jawing" without effect, for I could get no man to go with me until the chief gave his sanction.

    The Discovery of the Source of the Nile John Hanning Speke 1845

  • Exchanging elbows while battling for a loose ball, the two future Hall of Famers then went face-to-face, jawing at each other in competitive fury.

    One Season William Fredrick Cooper 2011

Comments

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  • I encountered this word first from George Moore's novella Albert Nobbs. Extract: "Her way of standing on a doorstep, her legs a little apart, jawing a tradesman, and she'd stand up to Mrs. Baker and to the chef himself."

    June 2, 2018

  • Jawing.

    A tradesman.

    June 3, 2018