See Also: palaver(dictionary)
palaver(dictionary)

palaver (iou)



palaver noun & verb. M18.
[Portuguese palavra from Latin parabola PARABLE noun.]
A. noun.
Hist. A talk, a conference, a parley, esp. between (African) tribespeople and traders or travellers. M18.
a. Unnecessary, profuse, or idle talk. M18.
b. Cajolery, flattery. M18.
c. In W. Africa: a dispute, a contest. M-L18.
Business, concern. W. Afr. colloq. L19.
A tiresome or lengthy business; (a) fuss, (a) bother; trouble. colloq. L19.
P. Bailey What a palaver..before the coach left! Chattering away, rushing around. Jo Grimond All the palaver of the court..the 'Yes m'lud' and 'No, m'lud'.
b. verb.
verb intrans. Talk unnecessarily, profusely, or idly; jabber. M18.
verb trans. Cajole, flatter, wheedle, (a person). Also foll. by into, out of. M18.
palaverer noun L18.