Talks rapidly and continuously, often about unimportant things, or makes quick repetitive sounds like teeth clicking together.
From Middle English 'chateren,' likely imitating the sound itself—one of those onomatopoetic words where the sound matches the meaning.
The word 'chatter' actually comes from trying to spell out the sound teeth make when you're cold, which is why it means both rapid talking and those clicking sounds.
Women's speech labeled 'chatter' or 'gossip'; men's speech is 'discussion' or 'analysis.' Gendered lexicon diminishes women's communication as frivolous.
Use 'conversation,' 'discussion,' or specify content. Don't label speech by speaker gender; use consistent terms across genders.
["conversation","discussion","dialogue","exchange"]
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