"Chop Saw"

A derogatory term for an inexpensive saw with a universal motor. [also called Electric miter saw, cut-off saw or power miter box).

[cutting capacity?] Primarily used for making cross cuts and miter cuts. The basic model has its circular blade fixed at a 90° angle to the vertical, a compound miter saw's blade can be adjusted to other angles. A sliding compound miter saw has a blade which can be pulled through the work similar to the action of a radial arm saw, which gives a greater capacity for cutting wider workpieces.

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/saw

JOHN WARDE, "HOME IMPROVEMENT," New York Times June 27, 1991: "For mitering -- cutting the ends of the molding at a 45-degree angle -- use a miter box and back saw, or rent a power miter saw, also called a chop saw." 

Steven Maxwell "Workshop" Toronto Star Apr 8, 2000. pg. 1: "If I were recommending a general-purpose chop saw to a friend, I'd make the case for a sliding compound machine spinning a 10-inch blade." 

Jim Fredrick, " Lifestyles," Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage, Alaska: Aug 29, 1997. pg. D.6 "The old chop saw, or miter saw, with a 10-inch blade that did little more than move up and down, and was movable from side to side for vertical miter cuts, is now made with a 12-inch blade to handle thicker stock. But more importantly, it can be angled to make compound miters. The blade/motor is mounted on a slide rail to allow cutting wider stock -- a hybrid of the chop saw with the old slide-rail cutoff saw -- with a corresponding increase in flexibility and portability." 

Jack Warner, "WOODWORKING: Buying proper tools important," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Ga.: Sep 27, 1998. pg. JJ.07: "If all he was interested in was carpentry, then he might get by with a portable circular saw or a chop saw."