What does "prittle-prattle" mean?
empty talk; prattle
Prittle-prattle
noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: empty talk; prattle
- Grammar: prittle-prattle is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: babble, blab, blabber, blather.
- Usage evidence: The Vindication of the Bishop of Duresme (Durham). The First Reason. (Chapter II, p. 24.) Archbishop John Bramhall. In criminal cases, where things are pretended to be done against penal laws, such as this, the proofs ought to be clearer than the noon day light. Here is nothing proved, but one single witness named, and he a professed enemy, who never testified it upon oath, or before a judge, or so much as a public notary, or to the face of a protestant, but only whispered it in corners (as it is said by adversaries) among some of his own party. Such a testimony is not worth a deaf nut, in any cause between party and party. If he had been a witness beyond all exception, and had been duly sworn and legally examined, yet this testimony, in the most favourable cause, had been but half a proof, though a hundred did testify it from his mouth, it is still but a single testimony; and as it is, it is plain prittle-prattle, and ought to be valued no more than the shadow of an ass.
How to use "prittle-prattle"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 empty talk; prattle colloquial, dated, derogatory, uncountable, usually
"The Vindication of the Bishop of Duresme (Durham). The First Reason. (Chapter II, p. 24.) Archbishop John Bramhall. In criminal cases, where things are pretended to be done against penal laws, such as this, the proofs ought to be clearer than the noon day light. Here is nothing proved, but one single witness named, and he a professed enemy, who never testified it upon oath, or before a judge, or so much as a public notary, or to the face of a protestant, but only whispered it in corners (as it is said by adversaries) among some of his own party. Such a testimony is not worth a deaf nut, in any cause between party and party. If he had been a witness beyond all exception, and had been duly sworn and legally examined, yet this testimony, in the most favourable cause, had been but half a proof, though a hundred did testify it from his mouth, it is still but a single testimony; and as it is, it is plain prittle-prattle, and ought to be valued no more than the shadow of an ass."
Example
"The Vindication of the Bishop of Duresme (Durham). The First Reason. (Chapter II, p. 24.) Archbishop John Bramhall. In criminal cases, where things are pretended to be done against penal laws, such as this, the proofs ought to be clearer than the noon day light. Here is nothing proved, but one single witness named, and he a professed enemy, who never testified it upon oath, or before a judge, or so much as a public notary, or to the face of a protestant, but only whispered it in corners (as it is said by adversaries) among some of his own party. Such a testimony is not worth a deaf nut, in any cause between party and party. If he had been a witness beyond all exception, and had been duly sworn and legally examined, yet this testimony, in the most favourable cause, had been but half a proof, though a hundred did testify it from his mouth, it is still but a single testimony; and as it is, it is plain prittle-prattle, and ought to be valued no more than the shadow of an ass."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prittle-prattle"?
Common synonyms include: babble, blab, blabber, blather, cackle, chat.
How do you use "prittle-prattle" in a sentence?
The Vindication of the Bishop of Duresme (Durham). The First Reason. (Chapter II, p. 24.) Archbishop John Bramhall. In criminal cases, where things are pretended to be done against penal laws, such as this, the proofs ought to be clearer than the noon day light. Here is nothing proved, but one single witness named, and he a professed enemy, who never testified it upon oath, or before a judge, or so much as a public notary, or to the face of a protestant, but only whispered it in corners (as it is said by adversaries) among some of his own party. Such a testimony is not worth a deaf nut, in any cause between party and party. If he had been a witness beyond all exception, and had been duly sworn and legally examined, yet this testimony, in the most favourable cause, had been but half a proof, though a hundred did testify it from his mouth, it is still but a single testimony; and as it is, it is plain prittle-prattle, and ought to be valued no more than the shadow of an ass.
Etymology
Reduplication of prattle.