have more chins than a Chinese phone book

English

Alternative forms

• have more chins than a Chinese phonebook
• have got more chins than a Chinese phone book, have got more chins than a Chinese phonebook

Etymology

A pun on the word chin and the common Chinese surname Chin. The phrase was likely popularized by the American comic Joan Rivers.

Pronunciation

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Verb

have more chins than a Chinese phone book (third-person singular simple present has more chins than a Chinese phone book, present participle having more chins than a Chinese phone book, simple past and past participle had more chins than a Chinese phone book)

1. (humorous, offensive) To be exceedingly fat, especially under the chin (as in a "double chin").
   • 1981 March 30, Gerald Clarke, “Show Business: The Long Way to Broadway”, in TIME:

     "This woman has more chins than a Chinese phone book," says Comedian Joan Rivers in a not at all funny pay cable television special.

   • 1995, Doug Robinson, "How about replacing rosters with these subs?," The Deseret News, Feb 25, 1995, section D:

     Our leadoff hitter has more chins than a Chinese phone book.

   • 2004, Andy Kessler, Running Money: Hedge Fund Honchos, Monster Markets and My Hunt for the Big Score, HarperCollins, →ISBN, page 131:

     My friend, Hank Zona, used to nod his head in someone's direction and whisper, "That guy has more chins than a Chinese phone book."

See also

• have more chins than Chinatown