Just down the rub-a-dub and nobody knows

[Zacs-Master]

Why do you (people in general) refer to your mouth as 'chops'?

[craft1948]

I've never heard the mouth decribed as that................I've heard your cheeks called that as in "cheeky chops".

[sandyRoe]

^ That might come from muttonchop sideburns.

[China Doll]

I generally say 'gob'... don't use chops to refer to mouth.

[HowardKennitby]

Cassell's Dict of Slang gives this as a C18th slang term for the jaws, mouth or lips. No derivation for this meaning given.

[Prudie]

I know it means mouth but it's not a word I'd use for mouth, maybe referring to a dog I suppose.

[Baldric]

'laughing gear' was an expression I grew up with.
(south midlands)

[craft1948]

If someone said to me "get your chops round that" they would be referring to my jaws.

[Zacs-Master]

Exactly craft and Prudie, yes it's more related to dogs. So, no one here knows either. Tssk, fat lt of good you are! ;-)

[sherrardk]

People who talk too much are considered 'chopsy' - don't know if thats just a term from South Wales though.

[Philtaz]

We use chopsy up here in the North too sherrardk, but some use 'gobshite' as well, though I believe that's used country wide.

[WyeDyed]

"Don't slap your chops" (eat quietly) "A smack in the chops" (punch in the face) were phases I grew up with in Kent (London parents)
Chopsy seems pretty universal

[Zacs-Master]

Never heard of 'chopsy' here in Yorkshire.

[mrs_overall]

i've never heard of chopsy either