ribaldry

American  

[rib-uhl-dree, rahy-buhl-dree] / ˈrɪb əl dri, ˈraɪ bəl dri /

noun

1. ribald character, as of language; scurrility.

2. ribald speech.

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ribaldry British  

/ ˈrɪbəldrɪ /

noun

1. ribald language or behaviour

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Etymology

Origin of ribaldry

1300–50; Middle English ribaudrie < Old French. See ribald, -ry

Explanation

Ribaldry is a kind of humor that's slightly inappropriate or off-color. You might want to keep your friends' ribaldry in check if your sweet old grandmother suddenly shows up at your house. When people tell bawdy or vulgar jokes (like bathroom humor, or jokes about sex), that's ribaldry. Imagine a rowdy sailors' bar or even a scene in a Shakespeare comedy, and there's bound to be some ribaldry. This noun comes to us by way of the adjective ribald, "bawdy or lewd," from the Old French ribaut, "rogue or scoundrel."

Example Sentences

In this lively and beautifully paced production, Martin and his cast emphasize the mischievous, capturing Thomas’ heroic ribaldry while honoring his play’s mystery and essential sadness.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2018

That bearing puts Mr. Williams, a poet, roughly in common with David Murray, the eminent tenor saxophonist whose warbling style is equal parts ribaldry and pique.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2018

By any sane measure, banter was falling into disrepute, as often a disguise for malice as a word for the ribaldry of lads on the lash.

From The Guardian • Jun. 30, 2017

That was apparently also just more mischievous ribaldry from Donald “Lenny Bruce Reincarnated” Trump.

From Slate • May 25, 2017

The sight of him crouched in the shade with reddened face and streaming eyes evoked from his companions not pity but ribaldry.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya