French edit

Etymology edit

Attested since at least 1838, originally to denote the incomprehensible talk of Auvergnats.

The further etymology is uncertain. It's believed to possibly mimick a perceived Auvergnat pronunciation of /s/ as /ʃ/. Others theorize it's derived from Occitan charrar (to chatter), or Franco-Provençal charabarat (horse market).

A borrowing from Spanish algarabía has been theorized but deemed less likely from a phonetic and geographic perspective.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ʃa.ʁa.bja/
  • (file)

Noun edit

charabia m (plural charabias)

  1. (colloquial) double Dutch
  2. gibberish
    Qu’est-ce que c’est que ce charabia?
    What is this gibberish?
  3. (obsolete) Auvergnat dialect
  4. (obsolete) An Auvergnat person

See also edit

Further reading edit

Anagrams edit