<P> "Chew the fat" or "chew the rag" are English expressions for gossiping or making friendly small talk also a long and informal conversation with someone . </P> <P> Although some sources attribute the phrase "chew the fat" to sailors, who during a period of resting and conversing, or while working together, would chew on salt - hardened fat, there are no reliable historical recordings of this practice . It has even been suggested that the phrase is derived from a practice by North American Indians or Inuit of chewing animal hides during their spare time, and even of British farmers chewing on smoked pork, but again, there remains to be no evidence supporting these claims, and would require accepting a great deal of uncertainty in connecting the phrase from nautical origins to its modern metaphorical use . </P> <P> There are also claims that the phrase is synonymous with the action of chewing on fat, or simply an allusion to the movement of the mouth during chewing . Noting that fried fat is appealing in taste, it was regarded as a treat that someone could chew on for as long as possible to gain the most out of it . </P>

Where did the phrase chew the fat come from