Etymology Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakilōną, related to *hakô (“hook”). Related to hackle.
1
To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.
2
To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance.
Promise that you won't heckle me after my performance.
As late as 1854, the antichoir members of an Ohio Methodist congregation heckled the choir whenever it tried to sing, hoping to "bring discredit on the singers by creating discord."2008, BYU Studies, volume 47, page 108:
3 more examples
[…] Internet postings, speeches, heckling, cartoons, faxes, composites, noises, threats, incitements, videos, ads, prayers, classes, live and filmed nudity (frontal, sideal, backal), defamation, blasphemy, and digital communication […]2013, Alan M. Dershowitz, Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law, Crown, →ISBN, page 106:
It is the large brown bonxies that heckle me as I pass across the high moor and approach the sheep gate.2020, Tim Ecott, The Land of Maybe, Short Books, published 2021, page 102:
The student section of Blue Devils fans, called “Cameron Crazies” for the energy and antics they bring to that cramped arena at Duke, heckles opponents with the help of “cheer sheets” that include biographical details and biting comments about opposing players.2024 March 7, Emmanuel Morgan, “Duke Asks Its Crazed Basketball Fans to Heckle Responsibly”, in The New York Times:
Etymology Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakilōną, related to *hakô (“hook”). Related to hackle.
1
Alternative Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”).
2
The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.
3
A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.
4
An rude interruption during a show, especially a comedy performance
The stand-up dealt well with the heckles from the crowd, replying with raucous banter to raise plenty of laughs.