chin n Cp EDD ~ sb 1 (3): ~ music 'crying,' 'chattering'; DAE ~ music 'chatter' (1836-); O Sup² sb¹ 2 (1834 quot). Attrib chin music: humming or singing nonsense syllables by one person to provide lively, rhythmic accompaniment for others to dance; occas a song, esp a hymn, sung without musical accompaniment;CHEEK MUSIC, MOUTH ~ .
   [1861 DE BOILIEU 119-20 After supper there is generally a dance, the music of which (lacking ordinary instruments) is played upon the chin.] [1879] 1887 Fisheries of U S iv, 79 One of the favorite pastimes of a crew, while 'in baitin,' is a dance... There was no fiddler, but only a boy who sang for them, or, according to the Newfoundland vernacular, made 'chin-music.'. . When I entered, the host was leading off with an opening break-down... The orchestra furnished 'chin-music.' The musician was a young man who hummed in a sort of grunting nasal tone various tunes of proper time for square dances ... it was a succession of nasal tones in the key of C ... Their dances were all the square dances, and generally the well-known lancers. The various figures were called off by one of the crew. 1896 J A Folklore ix, 35 ~ singing at dances, where they have no fiddle or accordion. 1933 GREENLEAF xxiii When there is no one to play even on a jews-harp, some man has to furnish 'chin-music.' 1964 Evening Telegram 2 June, p. 17 ... an Marty givin' chin music—you know, singin' f'r the skaters. C 70-15 The expression chin-music was given to a form of singing or humming by one or more persons to provide the rhythm for dancing when a musical instrument, such as a fiddle or an accordion, was not available, e.g. 'diddely-diddely-diddely-do, diddely-diddely-dumpty. 1971 CASEY 149 In the old days at garden parties and other 'times,' chin music and/or the 'fiddle' were the only music for the square dances, reels and jigs, which were held on all occasions.

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