8 January 2017

palaver

[puh-lav-er, ‐lah-ver]

noun

1. a conference or discussion.
2. a long parley, especially one between primitive natives and European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc.
3. profuse and idle talk; chatter.
4. persuasive talk; flattery; cajolery.
verb (used without object), palavered, palavering.
5. to talk profusely and idly.
6. to parley or confer.
verb (used with object), palavered, palavering.
7. to cajole or persuade.

Origin of palaver

Portuguese, Late Latin

1720-1730; Portuguese palavra word, speech, talk; Late Latin parabola parable

Related forms

palaverer, palaverist, noun
palaverment, noun
palaverous, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for palaver

Contemporary Examples

He seemed at first much pleased of the situation, but after examining the captives closely he called a palaver.
The Story Behind The World’s Greatest Headline
Brandy Zadrozny
January 20, 2014

With North Korea, the palaver is mostly about hoping and waiting.
What the U.S. Government Knows About North Korea’s New Ruler
Leslie H. Gelb
December 19, 2011

Historical Examples

Therefore the house was cleared of all except the two Queens, who may never sequester themselves, and Mr. Hamor began his palaver.
The Story of Pocahantas
Charles Dudley Warner

Anagram

per lava
rave pal

Today’s quote

The earth has its music for those who will listen.

– George Santayana

On this day

8 January 1935 – birth of Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. Died 16 August 1977.

8 January 1947 – birth of David Bowie, British musician and actor, born David Robert Jones. Died 11 January 2016.

8 January 1959 – Fidel Castro’s rebel forces take control of Cuba. Castro eventually became President and ruled the nation until 2011.

8 January 1964 – US President Lyndon B. Johnson introduces legislation that results in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, otherwise known as the War on Poverty, in an effort to reduce the increasing poverty rate, which at that time was around 19%. Through this a number of poverty-reduction strategies were implemented, including Social Security Act 1965, Food Stamp Act of 1964, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965), Community Action Program, Job Corps, and Volunteers in Services to America. Within 10 years the poverty rate had been reduced to around 11%. In 2014, the rate had risen to around 15%.