banter

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbæntə/ (UK); /ˈbæntɚ/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

The origin is unknown.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Jonathan Swift said it was a word of London street slang.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Verb, to make fun of a person; to tease or ridicule (1676).^[7][3][4]

Semantic evolution

In 1710 Swift complained in The Tatler about new words such as banter and bamboozle that he had tried and failed to stop.^[5] The early verb could also mean to delude or trick someone, originally in jest.^[7][4] The noun first meant nonsense talked to ridicule someone,^[7] and came to mean good-humoured teasing and the quick, witty exchange of remarks.^[7][2] In American use (19th century) to banter could mean to challenge someone to a race or match.^[7][4]

Timeline

• 1676 – verb, to make fun of someone.^[7][3][4]
• a1688 – verb, to delude or trick.^[7]
• 1690 – noun.^[3][4]
• 1702 – noun, humorous ridicule, good-natured raillery.^[7]
• 1810 – U.S., to challenge to a race or match.^[7]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. Good-humoured, playful and teasing conversation.

Verb

1. To tease or speak to in a playful way.
2. To exchange light, teasing remarks.
3. (archaic) To delude or trick.
4. (chiefly Southern and Midland US) To challenge.

Word family

• banterer
• banteringly

Related words

• chaff
• josh
• bamboozle

Usage notes

The American Heritage Dictionary groups banter with chaff, josh, kid, rag, razz and rib, all meaning to poke fun at someone good-humouredly.^[2]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
4. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press