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charabia

gibberish, gobbledygook

noun shah-rah-BYAH Rare

Usage Note

Charabia is an informal, invariable noun meaning incomprehensible speech or writing. It is always used in the singular with no article change in number. Some linguists trace the word to the speech of Auvergnat traders (Auvergnats) whose French was once mocked, though the exact origin is disputed.

Examples

"Je ne comprends rien à son charabia."

Natural Translation

I can't understand a thing of his gibberish.

Literal Translation

I nothing understand of his gibberish.

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