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banter

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 02:43. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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

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