banter English · revision 2136

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbæntə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈbæntɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is unknown.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) Jonathan Swift said it was a word of London street slang.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Verb, to make fun of a person; to tease or ridicule (1676).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==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.^(Etymonline) The early verb could also mean to delude or trick someone, originally in jest.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) The noun first meant nonsense talked to ridicule someone,^(OED 1989) and came to mean good-humoured teasing and the quick, witty exchange of remarks.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) In American use (19th century) to banter could mean to challenge someone to a race or match.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1676 – verb, to make fun of someone.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * a1688 – verb, to delude or trick.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1690 – noun.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1702 – noun, humorous ridicule, good-natured raillery.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1810 – U.S., to challenge to a race or match.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Good-humoured, playful and teasing conversation.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To tease or speak to in a playful way.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To exchange light, teasing remarks.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To delude or trick.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(chiefly Southern and Midland US)'' To challenge.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[banterer]]

+ * [[banteringly]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[chaff]]

+ * [[josh]]

+ * [[bamboozle]]

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+ ==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.^(AHD)

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}