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Heckled: meaning, definitions and examples

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heckled

 

[ ˈhɛkəld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

public speaking

Heckled refers to the act of interrupting a speaker at a public event, often with shouting or aggressive remarks, in order to challenge or provoke them. This can happen during concerts, speeches, or public performances and is generally viewed as disruptive behavior.

Synonyms

interrupt, mock, taunt

Examples of usage

  • The comedian was heckled during his performance but handled it well.
  • Politicians are often heckled at rallies.
  • The speaker was briefly interrupted by a heckler from the audience.

Translations

Translations of the word "heckled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interrompido

🇮🇳 उलाहना दिया गया

🇩🇪 gestört

🇮🇩 diganggu

🇺🇦 перебиваний

🇵🇱 przerywany

🇯🇵 野次を飛ばされた

🇫🇷 interrompu

🇪🇸 interrumpido

🇹🇷 rahatsız edilmiş

🇰🇷 방해받은

🇸🇦 مُقاطَع

🇨🇿 přerušený

🇸🇰 prerušený

🇨🇳 被打断的

🇸🇮 prekinjen

🇮🇸 truflaður

🇰🇿 бұзылған

🇬🇪 გადაწყვეტილი

🇦🇿 kəsilmiş

🇲🇽 interrumpido

Etymology

The word 'heckle' has its origins in the late 19th century, specifically around 1868. It is derived from the Scottish term 'heck' which means to comb flax, a process encountered in the textile industry. The connection to speaking comes from the idea of being 'combed out' or 'picked apart' during a rhetorical performance, similar to how fibers were teased out of flax. Over time, this evolved to its current meaning where it describes the act of verbally attacking a speaker, commonly seen at public events. It reflects a broader societal engagement, where audiences feel empowered to challenge speakers, thus creating a more interactive, albeit sometimes contentious, environment. The term is also a testament to the dynamics of public discourse, where varying opinions can lead to disruptions but also foster a form of democratic expression.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,142, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.