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   patter

   /ˈpatə/

   noun

   • 1. rapid continuous talk, such as that used by a comedian or salesperson: "take a friend with you to deflect the sales patter" Similar rambling(s)prattlepratingblatherblitherdrivelchatterjabbergabblebabbleglib talkmonologuebletherinformal:gabyakyackety-yakyabberingyatterrabbitingwitteringwafflechunteringarchaic:twaddleclack(sales) pitchsales talklinespiel
   • ▪ the jargon of a profession or social group: "he picked up the patter from watching his dad" Similar way/manner of speakingspeechlanguageidiomvocabularyjargonparlanceargotpatoiscant-speakdialectvernacularidiolectphraseologyterminologyfaçon de parlerinformal:lingo
   • ▪ rapid speech included in a song, especially for comic effect: "a patter song of invective"

   verb

   • 1. talk at length without saying anything significant: "she pattered on incessantly"

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘recite (a prayer, charm, etc.) rapidly’): from paternoster. The noun dates from the mid 18th century.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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