April Kelly Editing and Writing

Chalk it up or Chock it up?

If you know this one, you may be surprised to learn that I see this mistake in at least 50% of the manuscripts I edit that include the saying.

The correct version is “Chalk it up.”

My guess is that people who have only heard the phrase spoken aloud (allowed? Haha. If you’ve literally been anywhere on the internet—YOU KNOW) are the ones using “chock” because that’s how it sounds. It’s an honest mistake. It’s like the reverse problem that I’ve tended to have growing up. I used to pronounce circumference: cir-cum- FEAR-ance. Yes. Yes I did. And hyper-BOWL. That’s what happens when you’re homeschooled in the 90s and you learn everything from books.

Also, there is “chock full” … but that’s for a different day.

But why? What does chalk have to do with anything? Well, back in the day… not only pre-computers… but… wait for it… pre-dry-erase boards (WHAT?!) they used chalkboards to keep track of bar tabs. Seems pretty easy to alter your tab to me, but whatevs. Cheaper than paper.

Anyway, if someone bought you a drink they’d say “chalk it up to my tab.” It was simultaneously used to keep score during games and they’d say, “chalk up enough points to beat so-and-so.”

The more you know… (insert music and rainbow).