windbag

American  

[wind-bag] / ˈwɪndˌbæg /

noun

1. Also called bag of wind.  Informal. an empty, voluble, pretentious talker.

2. the bag of a bagpipe.

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windbag British  

/ ˈwɪndˌbæɡ /

noun

1. slang a voluble person who has little of interest to communicate

2. the bag in a set of bagpipes, which provides a continuous flow of air to the pipes

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Other Word Forms

• windbaggery
  noun

Etymology

Origin of windbag

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at wind ¹, bag

Explanation

If you find yourself stuck on a bus beside someone who talks endlessly about boring subjects, you might think to yourself, "What a windbag." It's an informal way to describe a big talker. The word windbag is a useful but derogatory way to talk about a boring chatterer. A windbag might gossip, or brag, or tell a long story — but in any case, nothing he says is interesting or useful information. The original fifteenth century meaning of windbag was "bellows for an organ," which was literally a bag of wind or air. By the early 1800s, it took on the metaphorical meaning of "person who talks too much."

Example Sentences

But that was all before the www. – or the World Wide Web – or in some cases, Waves of Windbag Whining.

From US News • Oct. 12, 2016

Councilman Windbag has lost his credibility, even among suckers known for their credulity.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

And it would be even funnier if he interrupted that night nurse and said, “Miss Windbag, you’re rotten, rotten to the core. I just thought I ought to tell you.”

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Sir Windbag: But, gentle sir, if they desire to war, Why should we hinder such a sportive game?

From 'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts by Spokeshave (AKA Old Fogy)

Sir Windbag: Thou by enigma seemingly imply That all our labors here are but in vain.

From 'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts by Spokeshave (AKA Old Fogy)