chatter etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: "chatter," from Old English "cæterian," meaning "to talk rapidly or idly"
• Onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of birds and teeth chattering

Meaning

• To talk rapidly and excessively
• To make a rapid, clicking sound, like teeth chattering or birds twittering

Origin

The word "chatter" is derived from the Old English verb "cæterian," which means "to talk rapidly or idly." This verb is believed to be onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of birds twittering or teeth chattering.

The word "chatter" first appeared in the English language in the 13th century. It was originally used to refer to the rapid, meaningless talk of birds. However, by the 16th century, the word had come to be used more generally to refer to any kind of rapid, excessive talk.

Today, the word "chatter" is used to describe a wide range of vocal activities, from the harmless chatter of friends to the malicious gossip of enemies. It can also be used to refer to the sound of teeth chattering or the twittering of birds.

chatter relate terms

• chat

  Etymology The word chat has multiple origins and meanings depending on its context F

• chatter

  Etymology Middle English chatter from Old English cæterian meaning to talk rapi

• chatterbox

  Etymology The word chatterbox is a combination of two words Chatter Meaning to tal

• chatter

  Etymology Middle English chatter from Old English cæterian meaning to talk rapi

• chitter chatter

  Etymology The word chitterchatter is onomatopoeic meaning that it imitates the sound o

• chatter

  Etymology Middle English chatter from Old English cæterian meaning to talk rapi

• click

  Etymology The word click originated from the Middle English word clicken which itse

• palaver

  Etymology The word palaver comes from the Portuguese word palavra which means word

• prate

  Etymology Proto Indo European root h₁preh₂ to spread Old English spreotan

• smatter

  Etymology Middle English smoteren probably from an Old Norse word meaning to dabble

• jargon

  Etymology The word jargon originates from the French word jargon which in turn deriv

• jangle

  Etymology The word jangle comes from the Middle English word janglen which is believ

• natter

  Etymology The word natter originated from the Middle English term natren which itse

• mouth

  Etymology The word mouth comes from the Old English word mūþ which is believed to

• conserve

  Etymology Latin conservāre to preserve keep safe Proto Indo European ker to

• converse

  Etymology The word converse derives from the Latin verb conversari which means to