2007-11-05 06:49:22 · 5 answers · asked by Perseus 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The saying originated during the nineteenth century in the United States, where people wanting a physical fight would carry a chip of wood on their shoulder, daring others to knock it off. Printed citations of this include the Long Island Telegraph, a New York newspaper, which on May 20th, 1830, printed "When two churlish boys were determined to fight, a chip would be placed on the shoulder of one, and the other demanded to knock it off at his peril." So yeah, major attitude.
2007-11-05 07:17:30 · answer #1 · answered by sapphiresteddibear 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The person with "a chip on his shoulder" has something to prove to everyone that isn't obvious to everyone. That person is usually quick to temper and quick to challenge.
2007-11-05 07:05:51 · answer #2 · answered by Your Uncle Dodge! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It definitely means they have an attitude. Something in life pissed them off and they carry that around with them everywhere.
2007-11-05 07:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means he has an attitude.
2007-11-05 06:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it means he is evidently something , ie, a courageous man, a moral man , etc.
2007-11-05 07:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Moonrise 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋