badinage
/ˈbadɪnɑːʒ
/noun [mass noun]
Humorous or witty conversation: he developed a nice line in badinage with the Labour leader...
- The option to close commenting after the cut-off would be lower maintenance, but then we'd lose such witty badinage as evidenced by my post on big, strong boys.
- After an interlude of witty badinage, Ginger departs, and Fred sprinkles sand on the floor of Horace's suite and dances her to sleep.
- On April 20 whilst waiting in the town hall with dignitaries and other councillors prior to the induction some banter and badinage took place.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French, from badiner 'to joke', from badin 'fool', based on Provençal badar 'gape'.