What it means
Your chat, your banter, your gift of the gab, especially when it’s quick, cheeky, and a bit flirty. Having good patter can carry you through a night out better than a fresh haircut. If someone says your patter’s rotten, they mean you’re dull, awkward, or trying way too hard. Time to up your chat game.
Usage examples
"He rocked up with pure class patter, had the barmaid creasing and the lads howling. Even my mate Davie admitted his own patter was rotten."
"Wee Davie has the best patter in the call centre, he turns angry customers into pen pals before the kettle has even boiled in the staff room."
"My da still has patter for days, every fish supper queue turns into a fifteen minute stand-up routine, even the chippy lassie ends up creasing."
Where it comes from
Old Scots verb for chatter, possibly from the patter of feet, possibly from the church pater noster mumbled at speed by tired priests. Either way the Glasgow comedian made it the badge for quick, cheeky chat, the kind that wins you a free pint at the bar or a polite door slam on the doorstep.
Other ways to say it
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