chew the rag

The gossip of scientists who get together and chew the rag is the lifeblood of physics.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I'll be depressive soon enough, but while you eat your candy just allow me to chew the rag; there's a kind of substance in it."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

I ain't kickin', all he wants to do is to look at the mare 'n' chew the rag about her.

From Blister Jones by Jay Hambridge

Now succeeded by a club of New Yorkers, who chew the rag and keep awake.

From The Foolish Dictionary An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use, confused by a few pictures [not included] by Gideon Wurdz

You fellows can stand around and chew the rag, if you want to," he said caustically, "and wait for Weary to make a war-talk.

From The Flying U Ranch by B. M. Bower