Badinage

/ˌbæd.ɪˈnɑːʒ/ noun

Definition

Playful, witty, teasing conversation or banter between people who are comfortable with each other.

Etymology

From French 'badinage,' derived from 'badiner' (to joke or tease), possibly from Italian 'badare' (to joke). The word entered English in the 17th century as sophisticated conversation.

Kelly Says

Badinage is the literary term for what happens when witty people flirt with words—Jane Austen's novels are full of it, and it's actually a sign of intelligence and comfort, since playful teasing requires you to understand someone well enough to know what they'll find funny.

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