Jesting
/ˈdʒɛstɪŋ/noun
The act of joking, mocking, or speaking playfully.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *gesta*, “deeds” or “exploits,” so a “jest” began as a tale of what someone had done before it narrowed into comedy and mockery.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
gesta
“deeds, exploits, actions”
Late Latin
Latin
gestus
“a deed or act; later a story of deeds”
Old French
Old French
geste
“a tale of heroic deeds; an exploit”
Middle English
English
jeste
“a joke, merry tale, or mocking remark”
Modern English
English
jesting
“mocking or joking speech or behavior”