Prating
/ˈpreɪtɪŋ/noun
Talking foolishly or at tedious length; babbling.
Did you know?The word goes back to a root that originally meant to chatter or talk idly, and English kept it alive as a sharp word for pointless, overlong speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*pratōną
“to chatter, prattle”
Old English
OE
pratian
“to talk idly or foolishly”
Middle English
ME
praten
“to chatter, talk foolishly”
16th Century
English
prate
“to talk idly or to little purpose”
Modern English
English
prating
“talking foolishly or at tedious length”