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it
Kids
English
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Kids
EN
heckle
Definitions
1
verb
To
interrupt
a
public
speaker
or
performer
with
derisive
or
aggressive
comments
or
abuse
.
The
comedian
was
heckled
by
a
rowdy
audience
member
.
During
the
politician's
speech
,
several
people
in
the
crowd
began
to
heckle
.
Heckling
can
disrupt
a
performance
and
make
it
difficult
for
the
speaker
to
continue
.
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Word Origin
Language
Middle English
Original word
hekelen
Originally meant
to comb or separate flax fibers
Background
Originally, 'heckle' referred to the process of combing flax or hemp fibers with a tool called a heckle. Over time, the term evolved to mean verbally 'combing through' someone's speech with interruptions or criticisms.