chaffing

Light-hearted ribbing

Chaffing is teasing or good-natured ribbing—the kind of back-and-forth banter among friends or colleagues: The chaffing in the locker room was relentless but friendly.

Often confused with chafing, which refers to skin irritation from friction.

Chaffing comes from chaff, the worthless husks of grain, suggesting talk that's light and throwaway.

skinfriction

rubbing

Applying pressure while moving

irritationMild anger or inflammation
rawnessUnrefined or exposed state
sorenessTender, painful sensation

rash · blistering · redness · abrasion · friction · discomfort · saddle sore · hotspot · powder · balm

teasing

banter

Playful, teasing exchange

ribbingAffectionate verbal teasing
joshingPlayful mocking
jestingPlayful, unserious speech

joking · kidding · raillery · badinage · mockery · quipping · taunting · needling · goading · gibing

grain

husks

Dry seed coverings

winnowingSeparating grain from chaff
threshingExtracting grain from stalks
wheatCereal crop for flour

barley · sifting · separating · hulls · stalks · harvest · bran · straw · flail · fan

chaffing

rubbing

banter

husks

chaffing

Opposites

Categories

Family