Ribald

Ribald is an adjective describing humor, language, or content that is indecent, vulgar, or crude, often with sexual or bodily references. It can also describe a person who uses such language, though the noun form “a ribald” is less common than “a ribald person” or “ribaldry” as a noun.

Etymology and origins are rooted in medieval Europe. The word entered English from Old French ribalde or ribalde, with related forms in Middle English, ultimately tracing back to Latin ribaldus, which carried a sense of a coarse, boorish person. The exact lineage of the term’s semantic shift toward sexual or scatological humor is not completely settled.

Usage and connotation vary by context. In literary criticism and journalism, ribald describes material that deliberately defies propriety through crude jokes, bawdy language, or earthy innuendo. It is often associated with humor designed to shock or amuse by flouting social norms. In modern usage, ribald can imply humor that is lighthearted and irreverent or, more pejoratively, offensive and inappropriate depending on audience and standards.

Related terms include bawdy, obscene, lewd, vulgar, and scatological. The noun form ribaldry denotes this kind of coarse humor or behavior. While ribald tone can be found in historical genres such as Restoration comedy, contemporary reception ranges from appreciated playful boldness to disapproval, reflecting evolving ideas about decency and taste.