noun General Slang

Chow Hound

/tʃaʊ haʊnd/ · noun · slang

The soldier first in the mess line and last to leave — the unit's bottomless eater.

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Definitions

1

A soldier with a huge appetite who is always first to the mess hall and angles for extra rations — the unit's notorious eater.

“That chow hound went back for thirds before the rest of us sat down.”
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2

Any person known for a big appetite or love of food.

“My cousin's a real chow hound at every family dinner.”
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3

Someone who rushes to be first whenever food appears.

“The office chow hound cleared the donut box by nine.”
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Chow Hound In A Sentence

Don't sit by the chow hound or he'll eye your plate the whole meal.
She's a cheerful chow hound who never turns down seconds.
The new recruit earned a reputation as the platoon's biggest chow hound.

Origin & Usage

American military slang of the 1940s, where 'chow' meant food and a 'hound' was someone hungry for it. It was common among WWII GIs and crossed into civilian use for any big eater.

Variants chowhound
Tags #1940s#wartime#swing#vintage#military#food

People Also Ask

What does chow hound mean?

A soldier or person with a huge appetite who's always first in line for food.

Where did chow hound come from?

From 1940s U.S. military slang, combining 'chow' for food with 'hound' for someone hungry for it.

Is chow hound an insult?

It's mostly teasing and affectionate rather than cruel.

Is it still used?

Yes — 'chowhound' survives as a friendly term for an enthusiastic eater or foodie.

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