ribbing

Good-natured needling

Ribbing is good-natured teasing or mockery among friends: He took some ribbing about his new haircut.

The word implies affection rather than malice—you rib people you like.

Separately, ribbing refers to a pattern of raised ridges, especially in knitting: The sweater has ribbing at the cuffs and hem.

teasing

banter

Playful, teasing exchange

joshingPlayful mocking
kiddingTeasing playfully
raggingMocking someone persistently

chaffing · roasting · needling · razzing · jesting · mocking · taunting · goading · twitting · teasing

knitting

purl

Inverted knitting stitch

knitLoop yarn into fabric
elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
cuffsSleeve or wrist bands

waistband · neckband · hem · stretchy · vertical lines · texture · gauge · tension · yarn · wool

structural

framework

Underlying support system

girdersHorizontal structural supports
beamsRays or supports
vaultingLeaping over something

arches · hull · fuselage · corset · boning · supports · reinforcement · skeleton · lattice · bracing

Categories

humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
textilescotton, wool, silk, fabric, thread
comedy writingjoke, jokes, comedy, satire, parody
garment partscollar, cuff, bodice, sleeve, lapel
jacket partscollar, cuffs, hood, lapels, lining
jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun

Opposites

social tone

ribbingpraise

Expression of approval

compliment · flattery · complimenting · adulation · commendation

intent and harm

ribbingbullying

Aggressive repeated intimidation

harassment · cruelty · abuse · torment · persecution

emotional register

ribbingsolemnity

Serious, dignified quality

seriousness · earnestness · gravity · sincerity · soberness

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G