To talk very quickly and excitedly in a way that is hard to understand. It often suggests nervous or silly chatter.
Probably from a Germanic root imitating quick, meaningless speech, similar to “gab” and “jab.” It appears in English from the 15th century with the sense of rapid, unclear talking. The word is onomatopoeic, echoing the sound of fast chatter.
“Jabber” sounds like what it means—your tongue bumping around on overdrive. Lewis Carroll used it in “Jabberwocky,” a poem full of nonsense words that still somehow feels like English. The word proves that sometimes sound alone can carry meaning, even before you know the dictionary definition.
Words for 'idle talk' like 'jabber' have often been used in gendered ways to criticize women’s speech as trivial or excessive. This reflects a broader pattern of policing and devaluing women’s verbal participation.
Avoid using 'jabber' to stereotype any gender’s communication style. Prefer neutral descriptions of speech quantity or clarity without moral judgment.
["talk rapidly","speak at length","chatter (non-judgmental context)"]
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