"talk much," 1786, probably via Scottish and northern England dialect from earlier sense "speak foolishly; talk indiscreetly" (late 14c.), from gabben "to scoff, jeer; mock (someone), ridicule; reproach (oneself)," also "to lie to" (late 13c.), from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse gabba "to mock, make fun of," and probably in part from Old French gaber "to mock, jest; brag, boast," which, too, is from Scandinavian. Ultimately perhaps imitative (compare gabble, which might have shaded the sense of this word). Gabber was Middle English for "liar, deceiver; mocker." Related: Gabbed; gabbing.
"action of talking," earlier "chatter, loquacity, idle talk" (mid-13c.), also "falsehood, deceit," originally "a gibe, a taunt" (c. 1200), mid-13c., probably from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse gabb "mocking, mockery," and in part from Old French gap, gab "joke, jest; bragging talk," which also is probably from Scandinavian (compare gab (v.)). Probably also there is influence from Scottish and northern English gab "the mouth" (see gob); OED reports the word "Not in dignified use." Gift of (the) gab "talent for speaking" is from 1680s.
双语例句
1. They are naturally good salesmen with the gift of the gab.
他们天生就是能说会道的推销能手。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The young cheap - Jack had got the gift of gab.
那个年轻小贩能说会道.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. The adaptability of modified GAB to other agricultural products will be studied further.
修正模型GAB对其他物料的适应性,还有待进一步研究.
来自互联网
4. She has the gift of the gab.
她口才很好.
来自辞典例句
5. With his gift of the gab, he should make an excellent politician.
