The phrase "quits chattering" is spelled according to English orthography rules, with the "qu" representing the phoneme /kw/, the "i" representing the short /ɪ/ sound, and the "t" at the end indicating past tense. "Chatters" is pronounced as /ˈtʃætərz/, with the stress on the first syllable and the final "-erz" representing both the final consonant /z/ and the plural marker "-s." When used with "quits," the phrase means to stop talking or being noisy.
Quits chattering is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of stopping or ceasing to engage in continuous or excessive talk or conversation. When someone is described as "quits chattering," they are seen as putting an end to their incessant or excessive verbal communication.
The term "quits" implies equality or balance, suggesting that both parties participating in the conversation have decided to stop talking. It denotes a mutual agreement to bring an end to the chattering or babbling, often due to a lack of meaningful content, interest, or resolution. The phrase can be used to describe situations where people grow weary of constant chatter, pointless gossip, or superficial discussions, prompting an agreement to discontinue speaking.
"Quits chattering" can also indicate a desire for silence or a shift in focus. It suggests the need for a break, either to collect one's thoughts or to redirect attention to something more important or pressing. The phrase is typically used in a somewhat lighthearted or informal way to express the idea of giving up or halting a conversation that has become unproductive or tiresome.
Overall, "quits chattering" encompasses the act of mutually stopping talking when the conversation has lost its value or has become tedious, allowing for a break in the exchange of words.
The etymology of the phrase "quits chattering" can be understood by examining the origins of the individual words involved:
1. Quits: The word "quits" is derived from the Latin word "quiescere", meaning "to rest" or "to be quiet". This Latin term ultimately evolved into the Old French word "quiter", meaning "to release" or "to discharge". In English, "quits" is used as an adverb to designate an even or equal score between two parties or to indicate that two individuals are mutually even or level in a certain situation. In the phrase "quits chattering", "quits" refers to someone ending or stopping their chattering or conversation.
2. Chattering: The word "chattering" comes from the Old English word "caterian", which meant "to chatter" or "to make a rapid series of speech sounds".