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

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

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

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

This young blatherskite here," he began, in a voice that caused the rafters to shake, "has been trespassing.

From The Scotch Twins by Perkins, Lucy Fitch

"There's men out there I thought I could reckon on like I'd tie to my own grandson, and they're standing with their mouths open, whooping on that old blatherskite."

From The Ramrodders A Novel by Day, Holman