gibberish English · revision 2198

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈd͡ʒɪ.bə.ɹɪʃ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably [[af|en|gibber|-ish]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) with ''gibber'' of imitative origin,^(AHD)^(Etymonline) formed on the model of language names in ''-ish'' such as ''English'' or ''Spanish''.^(RHWU) Etymonline suggests influence from ''jabber''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Unintelligible speech belonging to no known language and supposed to be invented; inarticulate chatter (c1554).^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the early 17th century it was used of the cant of rogues and gypsies.^(Etymonline) The word then broadened to any meaningless talk or writing,^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and to language that is needlessly technical, obscure or pretentious.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1554 – unintelligible speech, inarticulate chatter.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1577–86 – verb, to talk gibberish.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1598 – adjective, unintelligible (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Unintelligible or meaningless talk or writing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Highly technical, esoteric or needlessly obscure language.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gibber]]

+ * [[jabber]]

+ * [[gobbledygook]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}