Etymology From Middle English ribald, from Old French ribaud, ribauld (“rogue, scoundrel”) ( > English ribaud), from Old French riber (“to be licentious”), from Frankish *rīban (“to copulate, be in heat”, literally “to rub”), from Proto-Germanic *wrībaną (“to turn, twist, writhe”), from Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- (“to turn, twist”) + Old French -aud, from Frankish *-wald. Related to Old High German rīban (“to rub”), German reiben (“to rub”), Dutch wrijven (“to rub”). Compare also Old High German hrība (“prostitute”). See also English wrap.
1
Coarsely, vulgarly, or lewdly amusing; referring to sexual matters in a rude or irreverent way.
[L]et no zealous Christian trust the rogue,—the filthy ribald rascal is a liar.1693, “Chapter XXVII”, in Thomas Urquhart, Peter Anthony Motteux, transl., Gargantua and Pantagruel, The Third Book, translation of Gargantua et Pantagruel by François Rabelais:
But when he died the "Reform Democracy" instinctively returned to its vomit of ribald insult.1875 May 15, anonymous author, “Mr. Carl Schurz and the Democratic Party”, in Harper's Weekly:
4 more examples
[T]he curious crowd had collected in the street […], with here and there a scoffer uttering his incredulity and courage with scornful remarks or ribald cries.1888, Ambrose Pierce, “A Fruitless Assignment”, in The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, published 1893:
Anyway up against Reba McEntire, '60s-rock-bred big city escapee K.T. Oslin comes off both more ribald ("Younger Men") and prouder of the bras and bridges she used to burn ("'8s Ladies") in her best country hits.1997, Chuck Eddy, The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music, page 22:
Baron Cohen turns his attentions back towards England, satirising the Establishment’s contempt for what Nobby himself proudly calls “scum” with ribald and corrosive glee.2016 February 23, Robbie Collin, “Grimsby review: ' Sacha Baron Cohen's vital, venomous action movie'”, in The Daily Telegraph, London:
The “South Park” social media account responded, “Wait, so we ARE relevant?” and added a ribald hashtag.2025 August 7, Derrick Bryson Taylor, “‘South Park’ Finds New Relevance Skewering the Trump Era”, in The New York Times:
Etymology From Middle English ribald, from Old French ribaud, ribauld (“rogue, scoundrel”) ( > English ribaud), from Old French riber (“to be licentious”), from Frankish *rīban (“to copulate, be in heat”, literally “to rub”), from Proto-Germanic *wrībaną (“to turn, twist, writhe”), from Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- (“to turn, twist”) + Old French -aud, from Frankish *-wald. Related to Old High German rīban (“to rub”), German reiben (“to rub”), Dutch wrijven (“to rub”). Compare also Old High German hrība (“prostitute”). See also English wrap.
1
A person who is filthy or vulgar in nature.
After, he made an harlot, a ribald, come to him alone for to touch his members and his body, to move to lechery.1483 [1900 edition], William Caxton (Trans.), Jacobus de Voragine, "Life of S. Paul the first Hermit", The Golden Legend