Etymologically
Log in

talk

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 05:27. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

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
  • 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