Traditional
Still common
Definition
Carpenter.
Example Sentence
"The chippy built a new deck out the back."
Where "Chippy" Comes From
Clips "carpenter" down to a friendly nickname using the same "-ie/-y" pattern seen in "brickie" for bricklayer and "sparky" for electrician.
The word has a long history in British and Australian trade slang alike, reflecting a shared culture of informal nicknames for skilled tradespeople.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used interchangeably with "carpenter" in everyday speech — "the chippy built a new deck out the back" is exactly how most people would describe hiring one.
It's especially common on building sites and in renovation conversations, where trade nicknames like this are the norm rather than the exception.
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