Ribald
/ˈrɪb.əld/noun
Characterized by vulgar, crude, or indecent humor or language.
Did you know?In Middle English, *ribald* could refer to a coarse, lewd person, and its older French ancestor was used as a slur for a base fellow rather than a joke-word.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rīb-
“A root linked to being coarse or rough; the precise prehistory is uncertain.”
Old French
OFr
ribaud
“A base fellow, rogue, or disreputable man.”
Middle English
ME
ribald
“A lewd or disreputable person; later, indecent or obscene speech.”
14th-15th Century
English
ribald
“Used for coarse, vulgar, or sexually explicit language and humor.”
Modern English
English
ribald
“Characterized by vulgar or indecent humor or language.”
Explore more surprising origins