rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryblatherFoolish talk
noun / verb

blather

BLATH-er/blˈæðɝ/

Foolish or long-winded talk.

He continues to blather while his listener tries to leave.

An unchanging, animated talker holds up a doorway conversation while his listener becomes visibly bored and increasingly intent on leaving, shown in a compact three-moment sequence.
Etymology
blatherScotstalk nonsense

Scots blether meant 'talk nonsense,' emphasizing foolish speech rather than length alone. It probably came from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse blaðra, 'mutter, wag the tongue.'

In context

Blending For Good70:52
you've stuck around this long watching me blather on about uh Middle Eastern delicious food
3 Absolutely Essential Middle Eastern Vitamix Recipes!

More examples

  • She dismissed the speech as empty blather.
  • The conversation dissolved into blather.
  • They were still blathering when the meeting began.

Forms

blather · blathers · blathered · blathering

Similar words

ramble
Ramble means speak without clear direction; blather also judges the content foolish or tedious.
babble
Babble can be confused or excited speech; blather suggests empty, overlong talk.