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

Over the years, it became an established tradition that Ko-Ko rewrite his patter song, “I’ve Got a Little List,” to keep the operetta’s satire topical.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

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 • Oct. 1, 2025

Evelyn's is a patter song and it’s very ga-ga-ga-ga-ga, because her brain is sort of everywhere.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

And teaching actors to perform some of the show’s rapid-fire ASL lyrics — such as those on the opening patter song “Rock Island” — comes with its own complexities.

From Washington Post • Jun. 29, 2022

Their fast-paced patter song, “Rock Island,” is set to the beat of their bouncy ride through the Iowa countryside.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2014