One Lucky Soul: Gift of the Gab: Meaning and Origin

Gift of the Gab: Meaning and Origin by Omar Cherif, One Lucky Soul

My dear astute nephew Seif sent a message few days ago, saying: You should write an article about the Gift of Gab, which I believe you have. First time understanding what it is was when I watched Charles Manson say: “Hollywood loved me because I had what they wanted: The Gift of Gab.”   

Hm. Having never heard the expression nor the word ‘gab’, add to that the Manson reference, I was naturally intrigued. To unravel the meaning — and origin — of the idiom I went straight to the dictionaries. By itself, “Gab” the verb is defined as: Talk at length, typically about trivial matters. Its synonyms are: Chatter, chitter-chatter, chat, talk, gossip, gabble, babble.

 To which I instantly sent back to him, wondering if it is indeed true. Yes, I can talk and write at length, yet only on topics that are deemed interesting to me. Also yes, I am somewhat mad, fortunately not Manson-Mad. Or so I like to think. Then again, he said it was a gift, whatever it may.

Seif replied: It means wittiness, O, and more like charisma. This may be a very literal translation perhaps.  

By then I had already checked the meaning of the full idiom, starting with Merriam-Webster. The Gift Of The Gab, or more commonly in American English, The Gift of Gab: “The ability to talk glibly and persuasively.”

Synonyms: Eloquence, fluency, clarity of speech, expressiveness.

I like the sound of that. The subject certainly captivated my attention, feeling exhilarated to the come across it, as usual, in such an organically synchronistic way.

 More definitions of The Gift of Gab: Ability to talk easily and confidently in a way that makes people want to listen to you and believe you; aptitude to persuade people as well as speak in public; talent for speaking; a way with words.   

Once again he responded: They say it to people who usually light up a room or have big personalities. Could be an interesting topic.

As it turned, it truly is. For a logo-lexophile, a novel word, etymology, idiom, expression, figure of speech can be pure mental orgasm.  

The origin of the idiom goes back to the 17 Century Middle English word ‘gob’, meaning mouth; and ‘gabbe’ meaning idle talk. Gab is Old English for vaunt or mock. Towards the end of the century it was colloquial for talk or chatter.

A parallel discovery is that Gift of Gab was the stage name of an American rapper named Timothy Jerome Parker. Was because he apparently passed away in 2021.

Mark Twain. Gift of the Gab: Meaning and Origin by Omar Cherif, One Lucky Soul

Succinctly said, Sir

 What is equally stimulating is that The Gift of Gob also exists — 11,000 entries on Google. Yet the “Gift of the Gab” remains more widespread — 450,000 entries on Google; while the “Gift of Gab” has 670,000.

Having three different meanings, Gob itself is defined in Oxford as: 

1- a. Gob (n.): a lump of a viscous or slimy substance.  

• [North American]: A small lump.  
A gob of butter.  

b. [North American]: A large amount of.  
Gobs of money.

 c. Gob (v.) [British]: Spit.  Origin: From late Middle English; from Old French gobe ‘mouthful, lump’, from gober ‘to swallow, gulp’, perhaps of Celtic origin.   

2- Gob: (n.) [dated informal]: An American Sailor.

  In Merriam-Webster, however, it is defined simply as ‘sailor’.   

Origin: From early 20th century, of unknown origin.   

Finally the meaning we’re discussing herein:   

3- Gob (n.) [informal British/slang]: A person’s mouth.   

Origin: Mid 16th century: perhaps from Scottish Gaelic gob “beak, mouth”.

I must thank Seif for bringing my attention to The Gift Of The Gab. Also for the sweet compliment. Looking back at my childhood, it started by being the family then class clown. Be it telling jokes or recounting stories, I always felt at ease speaking in front of people, even large numbers. Expressing myself just came naturally — even more so during the teenage years. Then the Internet came along and so did the readers. I guess being able to communicate our thoughts and sensations is indeed a gift. Simply because if we do not express, we tend to suppress. So it is also therapeutic.

The element of creativity may then join the equation, as I have experienced after taking art in general and writing in particular as vocations following ten years of passionless employment. The ability to express and communicate gave me confidence when it came to sharing this creativity with the world.

The Real Origin of “It Will Cost You an Arm and a Leg”, The Origin of “Checkmate” , as well as How ‘XOXO’ Came To Mean Hugs & Kisses are related articles.

For The Love Of Storytelling, Choosing Art Over Corporate and Academia, and The Writing Process and the Creative Block are longer and more personal pieces.

And now we know.

ALSO VIEW:

The Real Origin of “It Will Cost You an Arm and a Leg”

The Origin of “Checkmate”