persiflage
Frivolous teasing talk
Persiflage is light, bantering talk—frivolous or mildly mocking conversation that doesn't take itself seriously.
The word is somewhat literary and old-fashioned, suggesting witty exchanges in drawing rooms or clever repartee: Their dinner conversation was all persiflage and gossip.
It implies style over substance, charm over depth.
Quick, clever conversation
- badinagePlayful, teasing conversation
- railleryHumorous, affectionate teasing
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
sallies · witticisms · ripostes · crosstalk · back-and-forth · verbal sparring · joshing · jesting
Unimportant small matter
- levityLack of seriousness
- flippancyFrivolous lack of seriousness
- frothMass of small bubbles
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
whimsy · trifling · nonsense · silliness · idle talk · frippery · superficiality · inconsequentiality
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- satireMockery exposing vice
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
scorn · taunt · jeer · gibe · caricature · parody · sneer · scoff
Affectionate verbal teasing
- chaffingMocking in jest
- needlingPersistent mild taunting
- kiddingTeasing playfully
- roastingCooking with dry heat
funning · gibing · ragging · goading · provoking · tweaking · poking fun · pulling one's leg
Light, rapid speech
- babbleIncoherent speech
- blatherFoolish, pointless chatter
- gabLight, meaningless talk
- twaddleTrivial, foolish talk
chitchat · small talk · gossip · natter · jabber · tittle-tattle · chinwag · idle chatter
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
wordplay · sallies · witticisms · ripostes · crosstalk · back-and-forth · verbal sparring · joshing · jesting · pleasantry
triviality
Unimportant small matter
lightness · whimsy · trifling · nonsense · silliness · idle talk · frippery · superficiality · inconsequentiality · airiness
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
sarcasm · scorn · taunt · jeer · gibe · caricature · parody · sneer · scoff · contempt
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
roasting · funning · gibing · ragging · goading · provoking · tweaking · poking fun · pulling one's leg · winding up
chatter
Light, rapid speech
twaddle · chitchat · small talk · gossip · natter · jabber · tittle-tattle · chinwag · idle chatter · rambling
persiflageseriousness
Earnest, weighty demeanor
earnestness · solemnity · gravitas · sincerity · gravity
persiflagereverence
Profound admiring respect
veneration · deference · homage · solemnization · tribute