subs. (colloquial Scots’).—1. A fussy and ostentatious person: generally OLD PALAVER.
2. (general).—Conversation; discussion: specifically idle talk, flattery, or cajolery: also as verb. Hence, PALAVERER = a flatterer. [From Port. palavra (= talk)].—GROSE (1785); BEE (1823).
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xii. None of your PALAVER.
1763. FOOTE, The Mayor of Garratt, ii. 2. Have a good caution that this Master Mug does not cajole you; he is a damned PALAVERING FELLOW.
1822. DOUGLAS JERROLD, Black Ey’d Susan, ii., 2. Wil. No PALAVER; tell it to the marines.
1838. T. H. BAYLY, The Spitalfields Weaver. Sim. (aside) Hang it! he’ll see through all that PALAVER! the way you say it, it’s worse than abuse; be quiet.
1838. W. DIMOND, Stage Struck, sc. 2. No more of your PALAVER—I’ll not be made a Jerry Sneak.
1858. G. ELIOT, Janet’s Repentance, xxv. I used to think there was a great deal of PALAVER in her, but you may depend upon it there’s no pretence about her.
1864. S. WARNER, Melbourne House, v. Come … don’t PALAVER.
1866. W. D. HOWELLS, Venetian Life, xxii. There hang their mighty works for ever, high above the reach of any PALAVERER.
1883. PAYN, The Canon’s Ward, xv. You have deceived him long enough with PALAVER, now you’ll have to undeceive him with PALAVER.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, 193. Have a PALAVER with your father.
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers, 107. I liked to hear Jowett PALAVER.
1892. Illustrated Bits, 22 Oct., 14, 2. She can’t get the comehither over me for all her PALAVER.
Verb. 1. See subs. 2.
2. (colloquial Scots’).—To fuss.
