chaff
UK: tʃɑːf | US: tʃæf
n. 1. The husks of grains or seeds separated during threshing.
n. 2. Lighthearted teasing or banter.
vt. 3. To tease good-naturedly.
The word "chaff" originates from Old English ceaf, meaning "husk of grain." It has retained its core agricultural meaning while also evolving metaphorically to describe trivial or lighthearted speech (like discarded husks). The dual meanings reflect the physical and symbolic "lightness" of chaff—both as worthless residue and playful talk.
Farmers separate the wheat from the chaff during harvest.
Their friendly chaff made the long meeting more enjoyable.
Don’t take his criticism seriously—he’s just chaffing you.
The wind blew the chaff away, leaving clean grain behind.
She responded to his chaff with a witty remark.