What does it mean to chop and change (what exactly does it mean to chop and change)

"chop and change" comes from Zhuangzi's Theory of Everything. The original meaning is a metaphor for playing tricks and deceiving people, and later it means that people have changed their minds and are unpredictable.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a man in the State of Song who liked monkeys very much. He keeps many monkeys at home. One year there was a famine in the village, and the man considered reducing the monkey's food intake. So he said to the monkey, "I will give you three chestnuts in the morning and four chestnuts in the evening." Hearing this, the monkey was very angry, jumping up and down and yelling. The man said, "Then I will give you four chestnuts in the morning and three chestnuts in the evening." The monkey is very happy and obedient.

At that time, there were many countries in the Spring and Autumn Period. Many small monarchs took refuge in this big country today and can take refuge in this country tomorrow for their survival and interests. This story satirizes these capricious monarchs at that time.