Date:  Sat, 27 Jan 1996 20:43:10 EST

From:  Boyd Davis <FEN00BHD[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UNCCVM.UNCC.EDU>

Subject: Re: chintsy



I heard 'chinchy' fairly frequently growing up in and around Louisville,

from older people, usually with rural ties. I always heard it applied to

people, not things, as in 'Don't be chinchy' when the recipient wanted

a larger piece of cake, more room on the sofa, etc. While I heard it

applied as a comment laden with opprobrium about women, I have never

heard it applied to a man's behavior.

  Chintzy meant 'sleazy, poor quality' and applied to fabrics, clothing,

upholstery, rooms, and on occasion, parties that, having some formality

about their occasion, weren't lavish or welcoming or something enough to

suit the speaker's notion of propriety.