(See also ASSISTANCE, RECIPROCITY.)

chip in To make a contribution, either of money or of time and effort; to interrupt or butt in. This expression probably derives from the game of poker in which chips, representing money, are placed by players in the “pot.” Putting chips in the “pot” is equivalent to entering the game. Figurative uses of the phrase play on the idea of “entering the game”—that is, becoming involved. Ways of “chipping in” range from giving money to a charity or participating in a joint enterprise to “putting one’s two cents in.” Such uses of the phrase gained currency in the second half of the 19th century. Only the ‘interrupt, butt in’ meaning is uncommon today.

go Dutch To have each person pay his own way, to share or split the cost; to go fifty-fifty or halves. Although the exact origin of this expression is not known, it is perhaps an allusion to the qualities or independence and thrift characteristic of the Dutch people. The phrase to go Dutch probably arose from the earlier combinations of Dutch lunch, party, or supper, events or meals to which each person contributed his share, similar to today’s potluck suppers or B.Y.O.B. parties where the guests furnish the food and drink. The oldest related “Dutch” combination is apparently Dutch treat, which dates from about 1887, and is closest in meaning to to go Dutch.

The expression dates from the early part of the 20th century.

in cahoots See CONSPIRACY.

in there pitching See EXERTION.

keep one’s end up To do one’s fair share, do one’s part; to hold one’s own; to share the responsibilities involved in an undertaking. In print since the mid-19th century, this expression probably derives from the image of two people balancing a heavy load. It is widely heard today.

kick in To contribute, to put in, to donate or give, to pay one’s share; usually in reference to money. This American slang expression probably derives from the poker slang meaning of to kick ‘to raise or up an already existing bet.’

pick up the slack To compensate, offset or counterbalance. The expression usually indicates that a person or group must put forth extra effort to make up for another’s absence, weakness, or low output.

play ball To work together toward a common goal; to cooperate; to act justly and honestly. This expression is perhaps derived from the set of rules agreed upon by youngsters before they play a game together or from the necessity of team effort and cooperation in athletic contests. The expression is heard throughout the English-speaking world.

pull one’s weight To do one’s rightful share of the work; to effectively perform one’s job. This expression apparently originated from rowing, where an oarsman who does not apply all his strength to each stroke is considered a burden rather than an asset. Similarly, one who figuratively pulls his weight makes himself a valuable contributor to a team effort. In contemporary usage, the expression is often used in discussing the value or usefulness of an employee.

Tinker to Evers to Chance John Tinker, John Evers, and Frank Chance formed the famous double play combination of the Chicago Cubs in the early part of the 20th century. The line “D.P. (double play): Tinker to Evers to Chance” appeared so often in box scores of that time that it became a permanent part of American idiom. The expression is used currently to describe any cooperative effort with the fluidity and speed of a Tinker to Evers to Chance double play.