josh
verb (informal)

- engage in joking or playful talk with others

- to joke, often in order to tease someone, or to annoy them slightly in a humorous way

Oxford Languages, Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

“Josh” as a verb meaning to tease good-naturedly or joke with someone first appeared in American English around the early 1800s, roughly 1845–1850. Its etymology has several proposed origins, though the exact source remains somewhat uncertain:

- associated with the name of a famous American humorist, Josh Billings, known for his humorous writings and lectures, which sometimes used intentional misspellings, wit and folksy common-sense wisdom.

- derived from the typical rural name "Joshua”,… thus to 'josh’, implied that someone was unsophisticated and gullible and might well fall for a ridiculous story or silly joke.

- another theory is that "josh" comes from an English dialect term, "joskin" meaning "bumpkin." But "josh" began life in America, not England, so the connection seems weak.

Both Merriam-Webster and The American Heritage dictionaries simply say that the origin is unknown, making "joshing" another word of mysterious etymology. While Josh Billings likely popularized the term through his widespread fame as a humorist, the word appears to have existed before his career peaked, suggesting multiple influences may have shaped its development in 19th-century American English.

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NICE TO NASTY

1. Bantering = Playful conversation – A friendly, light-hearted exchange of witty remarks, typically in casual dialogue, without intent to hurt (Scherzhafte Unterhaltung)

2. Joking = Jesting – Telling humorous remarks or stories to entertain, usually harmless and broadly funny (Spaßen)

3. Kidding = Teasing playfully – Friendly teasing or joking, often with a wink, without serious offense (Scherzen)

4. Joshing = Playful ribbing – Light, good-natured teasing, often with a playful tone, but slightly more personal than general joking (Flachsen)

5. Quipping = Making witty remarks – Delivering quick, clever comments, often sharp but not hurtful (Witzeln)

6. Clowning = Clowning around – Exaggerated, often physical or theatrical joking to gain attention, sometimes silly (Clownerei)

7. Teasing = Teasing – Gentle mocking, often playful but occasionally with a slightly irritating edge (Aufziehen)

8. Ribbing = Good-natured taunting – Humorous, targeted teasing, often repeated, with a hint of mockery but not malicious (Frotzeln)

9. Wisecracking = Sarcastic joking – Sharp, often mocking remarks that are witty but can sometimes sting (Sarkastische Witzelei)

10. Roasting = Mocking publicly – Humorous but often mocking criticism of a person, typically in a group setting (Verulken)

11. Ragging = Mocking repeatedly – Repeated, mocking teasing, often with a slightly mean-spirited tone that can annoy (Hänseln)

12. Parodying = Mimicking exaggeratedly – Exaggerated imitation to humorously, but often mockingly, depict something or someone (Parodieren)

13. Lampooning = Satirizing sharply – Harsh, satirical criticism through exaggeration, often aiming to expose or humiliate (Verspotten)

14. Needling = Prodding subtly – Subtle, targeted provocation through small, often hurtful remarks (Sticheln)

15. Baiting = Provoking deliberately – Intentionally provoking to elicit a reaction, often anger, with little humour (Ködern)

16. Barbing = Delivering sharp remarks – Making cutting, hurtful comments disguised as humour, but causing pain (Spitzen austeilen)

17. Goading = Prodding aggressively – Aggressive urging to force someone into action or reaction, often humourless (Antreiben)

18. Taunting = Mocking provocatively – Mocking provocation, often aiming to humiliate or irritate (Höhnen)

19. Mocking = Deriding openly – Open, mocking imitation or criticism to make someone look ridiculous (Verhöhnen)

20. Jeering = Scoffing loudly – Loud, derogatory mocking, often in a group, to ridicule or humiliate (Auslachen)

21. Befooling = Making a fool of – Intentionally deceiving or ridiculing someone, often with malicious intent (Zum Narren halten)

Ranking Summary:


- Nicest: bantering, joking, kidding, joshing, quipping – These are playful, friendly, and aim to entertain without harm.

- Middle: clowning, teasing, ribbing, wisecracking, roasting, ragging, parodying, lampooning – These range from playful but potentially annoying to sharply critical, with increasing risk of offense.

- Nastiest: needling, baiting, barbing, goading, taunting, mocking, jeering, befooling – These are increasingly aggressive, malicious, or humiliating, with intent to provoke or harm.

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNOYNMS

bantering, joking, kidding, JOSHING, quipping, clowning, teasing, ribbing, wisecracking, roasting, ragging, parodying, lampooning, needling, baiting, barbing, goading, taunting, mocking, jeering, befooling

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Be careful JOSHING if the matter is serious or your counterparts are under time pressure.”

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P L E A S E   S U P P O R T   O W A D

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