blatherskite

American  

[blath-er-skahyt] / ˈblæð ərˌskaɪt /

noun

1. a person who speaks rapidly but says little of substance.

2. nonsense; blather.

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blatherskite British  

/ ˈblæðəˌskaɪt /

noun

1. a talkative silly person

2. foolish talk; nonsense

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Etymology

Origin of blatherskite

First recorded in 1845–50; blather + skite skate ³

Explanation

Blatherskite is silly, babbling speech that doesn't really mean anything. If you know someone who talks just to hear his own voice, you can call what he says blatherskite. The person you're sitting beside on a long flight might spout blatherskite the whole time, or you might gradually realize a political speech is nothing but blatherskite. In both cases, the words don't really mean much, and there are far too many of them. Blatherskite became US slang in the early 19th century from bletherskate, or "foolish fellow," featured in the Scottish song "Maggie Lauder," which was popular with Continental soldiers during the American Revolution.

Example Sentences

In 1922, there died Senator Thomas E. Watson of Georgia, able blatherskite, onetime running mate of Presidential runner-up William Jennings Bryan.

From Time Magazine Archive

After New York Freelance Author Carl Bakal published his celebrated antigun tract, The Right to Bear Arms, N.R.A. members wrote him by the hundreds; among the friendlier salutations were "poltroon," "blatherskite" and "Communist and pervert."

From Time Magazine Archive

Most of those views, like his language�"marplot," "whilst," "burthen," "blatherskite," "milch cows" �have a 19th century texture.

From Time Magazine Archive

Shut up, you blatherskite; the cargo is all aboard.

From Looking Seaward Again by Runciman, Walter

Ye'r nobbut an auld blatherskite, 'Becca, as preaches mair charity in a day ner ye'r ready to stand by in a twelvemonth.

From The Shadow of a Crime A Cumbrian Romance by Caine, Hall, Sir