double-talk
or dou·ble·talk
[duhb-uh l-tawk]
- speech using nonsense syllables along with words in a rapid patter.
- deliberately evasive or ambiguous language: When you try to get a straight answer, he gives you double-talk.
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- to engage in double-talk.
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- to accomplish or persuade by double-talk.
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Origin of double-talk
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
double talk
- rapid speech with a mixture of nonsense syllables and real words; gibberish
- empty, deceptive, or ambiguous talk, esp by politicians
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for double talk
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with double talk
double talk
1
Meaningless speech, gibberish mixing real and invented words. For example, Some popular songs are actually based on double talk. [1930s]
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2
Also, doublespeak. Deliberately ambiguous and evasive language. For example, I got tired of her double talk and demanded to know the true story, or His press secretary was very adept at doublespeak. This usage dates from the late 1940s, and the variant from about 1950.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.