Definition of chug

The origin of the word "chug" is believed to date back to the early 20th century in the United States. In the 1920s, "chug" referred to a type of railroad train that pulled a series of cars filled with goods, known as a "chunger". The term likely came from the sound the train made as it moved, with "chug" being a phonetic representation of the rattling and clanking noise. Over time, the term "chug" expanded to describe other types of vehicles, such as a boat motor or a motorcycle, that made similar sounds. In the 1960s, the term gained popularity in the context of drinking, particularly in college campuses, where "chug" referred to quickly and rapidly consuming a beverage, usually beer or a shot. Today, the word "chug" is widely used in informal settings to describe the act of drinking quickly and enthusiastically.