<P> In ham radio, extended conversation, as opposed to just exchanging basic information (name, location, equipment), is called "ragchewing". </P> <P> Chewin' the Fat was the title of a Scottish comedy sketch show, starring Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill and Karen Dunbar . Chewin' the Fat first started as a radio series on BBC Radio Scotland . </P> <P> Chew-The-Fat.com is a UK - based website (now moved to chew-the-fat.org.uk) hosting a web forum, described as "The chat forum your mother warned you about", devoted to chat, gossip, and humorous banter and cartoons . </P> <P> In 1999, a widespread hoax called "Life in the 1500s", false information was circulated through email regarding "chew the fat". Among offering explanations for many phrases, the email stated: </P>

Where did the phrase chewing the fat come from