ribald

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   coarsely vulgar or irreverently humorous, especially about sex

   A ribald laugh broke the solemn silence of the hall.

2. 2
   noun

   a person who habitually uses vulgar or lewd language

   The court dismissed him as a drunken ribald unfit for respectable company.

Simplified etymology

Ribald comes from Old French ribauld, derived from riber “to indulge in licentious pleasures” and ultimately from a Germanic base meaning “prostitute.” English first used it as a noun for a lowly retainer or a licentious or irreverent person; it became an adjective before 1500.

From Middle English ribald and Old French ribaud ("rogue, scoundrel"), related to riber ("to behave licentiously"). The noun for a disreputable person gave rise to the adjective for coarse, lewd humor or conduct.

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External links

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