patter song

American  

noun

1. a comic song depending for its humorous effect on rapid enunciation of the words, occurring most commonly in comic opera and operetta.

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patter song British  

noun

1. music a humorous song or aria, the text of which consists of rapid strings of words

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Etymology

Origin of patter song

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Mr. Brady pulled off Don Profondo’s patter song “Medaglie incomparabili,” a tongue-twisting list of precious objects, as an auctioneer’s spiel.

From The Wall Street Journal

The joke-packed patter song, about three infants who are all suspects in the murder of their mother, was a source of narrative tension, since Martin’s character was extremely nervous about performing it in full.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a huge moment in the show and a huge patter song.

From New York Times

Oliver brings in Matthew Broderick, playing himself with exaggerated smarm, who effortlessly breezes through the patter song.

From Los Angeles Times

He was completely game to sing this absurd, tongue-twisting, joke-packed patter song about three infants who are all suspects in the murder of their mother — but he hesitated on the line: “Should a baby get fried for matricide?”

From Los Angeles Times