Ribbers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who tease or joke playfully with others ; those who engage in banter or light-hearted ridicule ; people who make fun in a joking or mockingly friendly way
2. Persons known for making witty or humorous remarks at someone else’s expense ; participants in teasing or joking interactions ; those who express friendly mockery or humorous taunts
3. Individuals who poke fun at others through playful or sarcastic comments ; actors in the exchange of jokes that lightly criticize ; persons who engage in good-natured teasing or humorous chaffing

Etymology: "Ribber" is a straightforward formation: the verb "rib" (to tease or banter with someone, especially good-naturedly) with the agent suffix "-er," meaning someone who does the action. The verb "rib" is the more interesting piece. Its sense of teasing or joking at someone's expense is a informal American usage, while the older English noun "rib" refers to the bone in the body, which has no direct link to the teasing sense. The suffix "-er" has a long and traceable path. It descends from Latin "-arius," which passed into Old French as "-ier" and entered Middle English as "-er." Old English had its own form, "-ere," which also contributed to the ending, so the suffix reached modern English by more than one route. The plural "ribbers" is simply the plural of "ribber," formed by adding "-s" to the noun.

Synonyms: stripers, cutters