palaver

Palaver is a term that designates both prolonged, idle talk and, historically, a formal conference or negotiation. As a noun, it refers to a lengthy, often aimless discussion; as a verb, to palaver means to talk at length, sometimes to persuade, stall, or manipulate. In historical and colonial contexts, palaver also described a ceremonial negotiation between colonial officials and African rulers or merchants, typically conducted at a designated meeting place and framed as a council or audience. The image of negotiation under a palaver tree appears in narratives of West Africa, where such trees were used as symbolic venues for dialogue.

The word derives from the Portuguese palavra, meaning "word" or "speech," with adoption into English via Dutch and other European languages. The sense of a formal council or conference widened in the English-speaking world to include any protracted discussion, even in noncolonial settings.

In contemporary usage, palaver commonly refers to idle chatter or overly elaborate talks that delay action. It also persists as a scholarly term in discussions of African diplomacy and trade, where the term retains its historical resonance. Palaver can carry neutral, descriptive connotations or pejorative ones, depending on context and tone.