double-talk

or dou·ble·talk

[ duhb-uhl-tawk ]

/ ˈdʌb əlˌtɔk /

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See synonyms for: double-talk / double-talked / double-talking on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

verb (used without object)

to engage in double-talk.

verb (used with object)

to accomplish or persuade by double-talk.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of double-talk

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

OTHER WORDS FROM double-talk

double-talker, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use double-talk in a sentence

Why all this double talk and evasion about a hugely enjoyable foray into genre fiction?
Can Pulp Win the Booker?|Allen Barra|September 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Sure, the West Point speech was filled with politics and double talk.
Obama Got It Right—And Petraeus Agrees '100 Percent'|Leslie H. Gelb|December 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Also, it has some of the elements of modern international diplomacy in its double-talk and duplicity.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
That—that double talk of ours didn't make any impression on that Stohl.
Dave Dawson on the Russian Front|R. Sidney Bowen

Chahda walked right up to him, muttering something that was probably Hindu double talk.
The Pirates of Shan|Harold Leland Goodwin
Now they would stall him off about the machines after handing him a fast line of double-talk.
Assassin|Jesse Franklin Bone
He'd duck the question or give them some diplomatic double-talk.
Project Mastodon|Clifford Donald Simak

British Dictionary definitions for double-talk

double talk

noun

rapid speech with a mixture of nonsense syllables and real words; gibberish

empty, deceptive, or ambiguous talk, esp by politicians

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with double-talk

double talk

Meaningless speech, gibberish mixing real and invented words. For example, Some popular songs are actually based on double talk. [1930s]

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.