Patterer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person or thing that creates a sequence of light, soft sounds in a consistent manner; an individual who communicates in a rapid and cheerful tone; someone involved in activities that generate rhythmic and gentle noises over time
2. Someone who produces a rhythmic succession of soft tapping noises ; an individual who speaks quickly and energetically
3. A person causing gentle, repeated tapping sounds often with their feet or hands ; one who converses in a brisk, lively manner

Etymology: "Patterer" is a plain formation: the noun "patter" with the agent suffix "-er" attached, so it names someone who patters. The more interesting part is the verb underneath. "Patter" in the sense of rapid, glib talk is related to "pater," an old word for the Lord's Prayer, because the Paternoster was recited quickly and mechanically, so "patter" came to mean fast, rhythmic speech without much weight behind it. From that sense, a "patterer" is someone whose talk runs quick and fluent, the kind of speaker who keeps a crowd entertained with a steady flow of words.

Synonyms: chatterer, gabber, blabber

Antonyms: listener, quiet