yakety-yak

American  

[yak-i-tee-yak] / ˈyæk ɪ tiˈyæk /

Sometimes yakity-yak or yackety-yak,

verb (used without object)

yakety-yakked, yakety-yakking

1. Slang. yak.

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Usage

What does yakety-yak mean? Yakety-yak is a slang term for aimless, pointless talk, especially when it goes on and on.The related slang term yak is most commonly used as a verb that means to talk, especially aimlessly, without stopping, and about unimportant things. Yak is also spelled yack and yakety-yak can also be spelled yackety-yak, yackety-yack, or yakity-yak. Yack (or yak) is also sometimes used as a noun to mean the same thing as yakety-yak, as is the word yakking (or yacking), as in Quit your yakking!Yakety-yak is the kind of trivial conversation that results from people yakking. Both terms are typically used at least somewhat negatively to criticize talking in such a way and imply that it is annoying or excessive.Example: Would you two stop your yakety-yak and come help us?

Etymology

Origin of yakety-yak

First recorded in 1945–50; apparently imitative

Example Sentences

The election yakety-yak will eventually turn to issues.

From Washington Times

I’m telling you, we can yakety-yak until next Tuesday here.

From Literature

Now it’s your chance to yakety-yak: Is the form a valid theatrical endeavor?

From New York Times

Related Words

• chat
• communicate
• convey
• declare
• deliver
• express
• go
• say
• shout
• tell
• utter
• voice
• whisper