Chewin' the dog

Not a widely recognized phrase, popularized in Rockstar Games 2010 title 'Red Dead Redemption'. The expression is used to describe the act of engaging in casual conversation, often without any specific purpose other than to socialize or pass the time. Similar to more commonly known phrases such as 'shooting the breeze' or 'chewing the fat,' 'Chewin’ the dog' brings to mind images of relaxed, informal dialogue.

Jake: "You ain't very talkative, are you?"
John: "No."
Jake: "I'm just chewin' the dog, mister. It's how I am. I don't mean nothin' by it."