talk

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /tɔːk/, US /tɔːk/, /tɑːk/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English talken (“to speak, discourse”),^[2][3][4] probably a frequentative or diminutive formed from the Germanic base of tale or tell with the suffix -k,^[2][5][6][7] which is rare in English.^[2] Etymonline compares hark from hear and stalk from steal.^[2] It took over from tale as the verb.^[2] East Frisian has East Frisian Low German talken (“to talk, chatter, whisper”).^[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To speak, converse: probably before 1200, in the Ancrene Riwle and Layamon's Brut.^[3][2]

Semantic evolution

The noun followed in the late 14th century, “speech, conversation”,^[2][3] although it appears earlier as a surname (1328).^[3] The sense “rumour” dates from the 1550s,^[2] and the talk of the town from the 1620s.^[2] An informal lecture is a talk by 1859 according to Etymonline and the OED,^[2][8] but 1900 according to Barnhart.^[3] In the plural, talks came to mean formal negotiations.^[5] Among the verb phrases, talk big is from the 1690s,^[2][8] talk at from 1789,^[2][8] the slang “to inform (to the authorities)” from 1824,^[2] American talk back by 1847^[2] and talk down to by 1855.^[2] Talking the hind leg off an animal goes back to 1808,^[2][9] and talk someone's ear off to 1871.^[2] Broadcasting gave the talk show (1959) and talk radio (1962).^[2] Talkative is recorded before 1425,^[3] and talking-to “a scolding” from about 1875.^[3]

Timeline

• before 1200 – verb, to speak.^[3][2]
• 1328 – as a surname.^[3]
• late 14th century – noun, speech, conversation.^[2][3]
• before 1425 – talkative.^[3]
• 1550s – rumour.^[2]
• 1620s – the talk of the town.^[2]
• 1690s – talk big.^[2]
• 1824 – to inform on someone.^[2]
• 1859 – an informal lecture.^[2][8]
• 1959 – talk show.^[2]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To use spoken words to communicate; to converse.
2. To discuss or speak about something.
3. To negotiate or hold discussions.
4. To spread rumours; to gossip.
5. (slang) To reveal information, especially to the police.
6. To persuade or bring into a state by talking: talk someone into it.

Noun

1. A conversation or exchange of ideas.
2. An informal lecture or speech.
3. Rumour or speculation; a subject of gossip.
4. (usually plural) A formal conference or negotiation.
5. Empty or idle speech.

Word family

• talker
• talkable
• talkability
• crosstalk
• talkback
• talkie
• uptalk
• walkie-talkie

Related words

• tale
• tell
• talkative
• toll

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 27 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
9. ^ Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press