smack talk

[smak tawk]

noun

1. insulting, taunting, or boastful comments, often as a form of banter, as between competitors; trash talk.

   At boxing practice there's a lot of gibing and smack talk between the boxers as they go at each other.

   He won the election but soon found that his campaign-trail smack talk didn't translate well to governing.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make insulting, taunting, or boastful comments to or about (someone), often as a form of banter; trash-talk.

   Reps from the two companies are always smack talking each other on whose cybertechnology is more efficient.

   She smack-talked him behind his back but treated him like a prince when we were all together.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smack talk¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

“It’s time to end the smack talk, end the conjecture and settle this — man to boy.”

From Salon

DeShaun Foster, no stranger to the crosstown rivalry, tried his hand at a little smack talk this week, which reminded of the time late USC head coach John Robinson, while addressing a large gathering of fans and boosters prior to the 1979 big game, proclaimed: “Raise your hand if you’re a Trojan. Or, if you’re a Bruin, raise your standards.”

From Los Angeles Times

When Harbaugh was at Michigan, he famously reacted to Day’s smack talk by using the third-base reference to claim the coach had not paid his dues.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins offset the Trojans’ seven blocks in the first half — including one by Bronny James that led to a technical foul for following it up with smack talk — with 10 offensive rebounds.

From Los Angeles Times

But if you’re a chess enthusiast, you’re more likely to stop by for an over-the-board “a— whooping,” where he’ll snap up your pieces with a side of smack talk before “leaving ’em with two pieces to go.”

From Los Angeles Times