badinage

American  

[bad-n-ahzh, bad-n-ij] / ˌbæd nˈɑʒ, ˈbæd n ɪdʒ /

noun

1. light, playful banter or raillery.

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verb (used with object)

badinaged, badinaging

1. to banter with or tease (someone) playfully.

badinage British  

/ ˈbædɪˌnɑːʒ /

noun

1. playful or frivolous repartee or banter

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Etymology

Origin of badinage

First recorded in 1650–60; from French, equivalent to badin(er) “to joke, trifle” (verbal derivative of badin “joker, banterer,” from Old Provençal bad(ar) “to gape” or directly from Vulgar Latin batāre; cf. bay ²) + -in, from Latin -īnus -ine ¹ ) + -age -age

Explanation

Stiff corporate types don't tend to be too fond of badinage, or playful conversation, during important meetings, but sometimes a witty joke about the manager's ugly tie is just the right thing to lighten the mood. Badinage comes from the French word badiner, which means "to joke." In literature, there is no better place to find examples of badinage and witty wordplay than in Shakespeare's comedic plays. You can also find great examples in sitcom television, stand-up comedy, and the everyday frivolous banter among siblings and friends.