‘Chop’ in English could mean ‘to cut’ or ‘to divide’ while ‘chop’ in Nigerian English means ‘to eat food.’
Despite the differing literal meanings, ‘chop’ and the Nigerian (or some other West African countries’) ‘chop food’ share historical and linguistic connections. This could be seen in the shared etymology of ‘chop’ in food-related contexts.
Chophouse is a restaurant or eating establishment that traditionally serves chops, steaks, and other meat dishes. The term, ‘chophouse,’ used to be an informal eatery catering to traders and travellers. It served simple, hearty meals, often featuring chops (thick cuts of meat).
Overtime, ‘chophouse’ has evolved with several culinary and related vocabularies. In Nigeria, ‘chophouse’ has been shortened to ‘chop,’ often used interchangeably with ‘eat’ or ‘food.’ Chopstick is either of a pair of thin sticks that are used for eating with especially in Asian countries. Chopsuey is a Chinese-style dish of small pieces of meat fried with vegetables and served with rice. ‘Chop’ is also a colloquialism for ‘mouth’ or ‘lips’ in some African American Vernacular English (AAVE) contexts.
Both phrases, “eat food” and “chop food” convey the act of consuming food, with the Nigerian version likely to be a direct adaptation of ‘eat food.’
“Chop” in the Nigerian context plays various roles in different parts of speech.
Examples.
I chop yam. (Verb).
Dis kain chop na wah. (Noun).
Abeg, give me chop money. (Adjective).
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