begin with the chucky

English

Etymology

From a story in which a frugal mother recalls how she used to eat cheap foods such as porridge before becoming wealthy enough to afford chucky (“chicken”).

Verb

begin with the chucky (third-person singular simple present begins with the chucky, present participle beginning with the chucky, simple past began with the chucky, past participle begun with the chucky)

1. (obsolete) To live beyond one's means.
   • 1865, English Women's Domestic Magazine, page 89:

     Half the world now begins with the 'chucky'.

   • 1871, Young people, The Juvenile instructor and companion, page 220:

     Recollect and apply the general principle involved in the lament over "Andrew's imprudence," and don't "begin with the chucky"!

   • 1891, The Quiver:

     Our son Andrew has now got a shop and a wife too. He is trying his hand both at business and at housekeeping : but. oh, sir ! he has made an awfu' mistake : he has begun with the chucky !