Gibberish

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdʒɪb.ɜː(ɹ).ɪʃ/
• US IPA: /ˈdʒɪb.É™.ɹɪʃ/

Origin

ca. 16th century. Either an onomatopeia, imitating to the sound of chatter, probably influenced by jabber, or derived from the root of the Irish gob ("the mouth").

Mackay, Charles A Glossary of Obscure Words and Phrases in the Writings of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries, pp. 183-184, S. Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1887

Full definition of gibberish

Noun

1. speech or writing that is unintelligible, incoherent or meaningless
• HawthorneSuch gibberish as children may be heard amusing themselves with.
2. needlessly obscure or overly technical language

Synonyms

• gibber

Adjective

1. unintelligible, incoherent or meaningless