had been quipping

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of quip.
  quip

  noun

  a clever or witty remark or comment.

Related Words

• banter
• gag
• gibe
• pleasantry
• pun
• repartee
• retort
• satire
• wisecrack
• witticism