banter

An exclamation intended to commemorate the occurence of a witty, jovially insulting, hilarously harsh or awkward comment, as well as lubricating the passage of conversation so as to facilitate further banter in the near future. It is most effectively used as a stand-alone catchphrase or vocal tool to break the awkward silence, indicate your approval of the previous comment or assert your position as the alpha banterer, or, in rarer circumstances, an effective "banter beacon", defined as one able to signal the presence of banter within moments of it appearing. Has been known to be used as a noun in the previously described ways but is certainly better employed as a single exclamation, leaving explanation of its context to those immediately adjacent to the utterer of the word. Has known to be used in conjunction with "Lad!" throughout history.