What it means
Means to enjoy life to the fullest, live it up, treat yourself proper. "Chop" in Nigerian Pidgin means to eat or consume, so chopping life is basically devouring every good thing the world puts in front of you. It is the philosophy that tomorrow is not promised so you might as well order the extra plate, take the trip, and dance when the music plays. Pure vibes and no regrets.
Usage examples
"After finishing that big project at work she said forget saving, time to chop life, booked a beach holiday that same evening."
"After the funeral my cousin said the man worked all his life for nothing in the end, time to chop life now, and booked the family on a trip to Calabar the next week."
"Big sister turned forty last month and told everyone she is officially in her chop-life era, restaurants every weekend, new shoes monthly, no apologies and no spreadsheets."
Where it comes from
Comes from Nigerian Pidgin, where chop means to eat or to consume, far beyond just food. The phrase grew across Nigerian social media and music in the twenty-tens, with chop life standing in for the whole carpe diem mood. Now it travels with the Afrobeats wave from Lagos to London.
Editors of this term
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