talk English · revision 2326

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=before 1200 (Ancrene Riwle, Layamon)}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /tɔːk/, US /tɔːk/, /tɑːk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|talken|t=to speak, discourse]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) probably a frequentative or diminutive formed from the Germanic base of [[tale]] or [[tell]] with the suffix ''-k'',^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986) which is rare in English.^(Etymonline) Etymonline compares [[hark]] from [[hear]] and [[stalk]] from [[steal]].^(Etymonline) It took over from ''tale'' as the verb.^(Etymonline) East Frisian has [[frs|talken|t=to talk, chatter, whisper]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To speak, converse: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'' and Layamon's ''Brut''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun followed in the late 14th century, “speech, conversation”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) although it appears earlier as a surname (1328).^(Barnhart 1988) The sense “rumour” dates from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) and ''the talk of the town'' from the 1620s.^(Etymonline) An informal lecture is a ''talk'' by 1859 according to Etymonline and the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) but 1900 according to Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) In the plural, ''talks'' came to mean formal negotiations.^(SOED 2002) Among the verb phrases, ''talk big'' is from the 1690s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''talk at'' from 1789,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the slang “to inform (to the authorities)” from 1824,^(Etymonline) American ''talk back'' by 1847^(Etymonline) and ''talk down to'' by 1855.^(Etymonline) ''Talking the hind leg off'' an animal goes back to 1808,^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) and ''talk someone's ear off'' to 1871.^(Etymonline) Broadcasting gave the ''talk show'' (1959) and ''talk radio'' (1962).^(Etymonline) ''Talkative'' is recorded before 1425,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''talking-to'' “a scolding” from about 1875.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – verb, to speak.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1328 – as a surname.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – noun, speech, conversation.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1425 – ''talkative''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1550s – rumour.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1620s – ''the talk of the town''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1690s – ''talk big''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1824 – to inform on someone.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1859 – an informal lecture.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1959 – ''talk show''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To use spoken words to communicate; to [[converse]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To discuss or speak about something.^(AHD)

+ # To [[negotiate]] or hold discussions.^(AHD)

+ # To spread [[rumour|alt=rumours]]; to [[gossip]].^(AHD)

+ # ''(slang)'' To reveal information, especially to the police.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To persuade or bring into a state by talking: ''talk someone into it''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A conversation or exchange of ideas.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # An informal [[lecture]] or speech.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Rumour or speculation; a subject of gossip.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(usually plural)'' A formal [[conference]] or negotiation.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Empty or idle speech.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[talker]]

+ * [[talkable]]

+ * [[talkability]]

+ * [[crosstalk]]

+ * [[talkback]]

+ * [[talkie]]

+ * [[uptalk]]

+ * [[walkie-talkie]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tale]]

+ * [[tell]]

+ * [[talkative]]

+ * [[toll]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}