palaver /puh-LAV-ər/. noun and verb. A conference, dispute or contest (originally, primarily West African). Tedious, time consuming or idle talk or other activity. Loud or confused talk. Flattery. From Portuguese palavra (talk), from Latin parabola (a parable, words, speech). See also: bunk, bunkum, hokum, cajolery, wheedling, jabbering.
“He had many compatriots who wrote just like him—although with less intelligence—other cultural journalists who had adopted the slick palaver of the moment.” (Siri Hustvedt)
“The loading and priming of the thing was such a palaver he nearly changed his mind.” (Kate Grenville)
“Her voice contained a hint of phoniness, an echo of the daytime palaver in her shop.” (Ross Macdonald)
“Through the trees there is the sound of the wind, palavering.” (Mary Oliver)
“Don’t stand there palavering all day, but out with you and see if there’s a fish on the lines for breakfast.” (Mark Twain)
“…after some palavering among the bench, the Prosecutor, and my counsel, the presiding judge announced that the court would now rise…” (Albert Camus)
“‘such dainty ladies as Mrs. Glave’: from the unusual verb, ‘glaver;’ ‘to palaver;’ ‘to flatter; wheedle.’” (Alfred Appel, Jr.)