# I hate the term "chops" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 5, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060 "2002-09-05T01:40:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/21 "2002-09-10T01:06:54Z")
But seriously… If you really don’t like the term “chops” for a good player, there’s not much I can say but you’ll just have to get used to it. Every, and I mean _every_ serious player I’ve ever known, be s/he jazz, funk, metal or what have you, uses it. You’d have only a slightly more difficult time getting them to rename the blues. ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/22 "2002-09-10T04:16:05Z")
Oh, but advertising, looks, and chops are a must! No big hair!! ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/23 "2002-09-10T07:26:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyomara \* > \*\*Oh, but advertising, looks, and chops are a must! No big hair!! \*\* “And no more facial hair on the bandstand. You assholes played like children up there. I’ll get an all-L.A. band tomorrow. Watch me!!” ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/24 "2002-09-10T08:25:43Z")
It seems that I have been out-obscure-referenced. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/25 "2002-09-10T10:52:33Z")
Every **serious** player? Hell, **I’ve** used it. And I never got past playing in bands that played Carpenters covers and did power ballads! On the other hand…Geddy Lee uses the term in the ‘Exit…Stage Left’ video. Therefore it in cool, desiderata. Get me? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/26 "2002-09-10T12:57:01Z")
**Beeblebrox** : Yeah, I know where it came from, I just can’t hear it without thinking of some overweight obnoxious expat ordering around the locals on menial tasks. In other words, I’m the one who should be saying it, not her. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/27 "2002-09-11T08:00:16Z")
How does everyone feel about the term “clam”, i.e. a missed note? ---
**Author:** ![Ich\_Bin\_s](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Ich\_Bin\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ich_Bin_s)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/28 "2002-09-11T16:27:32Z")
Kyomara, Follow the link to see of what blowero speaks. Be warned, Buddy has a temper… [Buddy Rich in Four Acts](http://www.bridgeboymusic.com/billyboy/actone.htm) ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060/29 "2002-09-11T17:27:53Z")
I never really thought about it before reading this thread. Now I can’t stand the term ‘chops’. Gah! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-term-chops/127060.md?page=1)