Banter
Etymology
Of uncertain origin — flag this as genuinely unknown. It appears as London street slang in the late 17th century; Jonathan Swift complained of it as a vulgar fashionable word and claimed, without evidence, that it was coined by "the rabble." No convincing earlier root has ever been established.
noun · /BAN-ter/
Playful, teasing back-and-forth talk exchanged in fun.
What it names
A handle for a bonding ritual disguised as mockery — the light mutual ribbing that signals comfort and affection among people who trust each other.
Example
The constant banter between the two mechanics was how you knew they actually liked each other.
Related idea
Distinct from repartee: banter is warm, sustained, and communal — the running teasing of a group at ease — while repartee is sharp, quick, and often competitive, prizing the witty individual comeback. Banter builds belonging; repartee scores points.
See also