Dentiloquy

/dɛnˈtɪləkwi/ noun

Definition

Speech or sounds produced primarily by or with the use of the teeth rather than the vocal cords.

Etymology

Combination of Latin 'dens' (tooth) and 'loqui' (to speak), using the '-y' suffix to create an abstract noun describing a form of speech. This archaic term was used to describe unusual vocalization techniques.

Kelly Says

Dentiloquy is the teeth-speaking equivalent of ventriloquism—some 18th and 19th-century performers developed reputations for this odd skill, creating an entire mini-genre of unusual speech performance that's nearly extinct today.

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