Chink in American English

[Cunning Fox]

According to Longman Dictionary,

chink (British English) - if glass or metal objects chink, or if you chink them, they make a high ringing sound when they knock together: They chinked their glasses and drank a toast to the couple.

Could you please tell me how you'd say it in American English? I assume "clink" might work but something tells me wines glasses don't really "clink" but metal spoons, forks and knives do.

 

[probus]

We use "clink" in AmE when people tap their wine glasses.

 

[SoothingDave]

You're liable to be thought of as using an ethnic slur if you say "chink" in America.

 

[Yankee]

You're liable to be thought of as using an ethnic slur if you say "chink" in America.

Yes, a slur, but as a noun with regard to a person.

 

[SoothingDave]

People have gotten in hot water for saying "chink in the armor" or using the word "niggardly," so I would not expect reason or context to stop the politically correct word police. Hence, the advice to avoid the word for a language learner.

 

[Yankee]

People have gotten in hot water for saying "chink in the armor" or using the word "niggardly," so I would not expect reason or context to stop the politically correct word police. Hence, the advice to avoid the word for a language learner.

"Chink in the armor" does not suggest any racial or ethnic slur. Rather it refers, for example, to one's quality or vulnerability.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Chink in the armor" does not suggest any racial or ethnic slur. Rather it refers, for example, to one's quality or vulnerability.

I know that and you know that. But the politically correct word police do not know that. Or care to, if they can browbeat someone on the wrong "side" of a political divide.

 

[5jj]

Regretfully (I have strong thoughts on this, not dissimilar to those of SD) I must suggest that we leave the topic of political correctness now. We don't want to get into politics in this forum.

 

[probus]

Suffice it to say that the political sphere in the USA is highly polarized and as a result plenty of absurd things are said on all sides. I'll shut up now.