chatterati

Alternative forms

• chatteratis, as if the plural of a singular *chatterati

Etymology

Blend of chatter +‎ literati, coined by Peter Simmons in 1989 and used in The Globe, a satirical newsletter for the Norwich-based Development and Environment Centre.

Noun

chatterati pl (plural only)

1. People who chat, argue and debate.
   • 2002, Annabelle Sreberny, “Trauma talk,” in Journalism After September 11, Barbara Zelizer and Stuart Allan edd.

     The newspaper the Guardian, together with its Sunday sister the Observer, are the liberal papers of choice among the middle-class chatterati.

   • 2004, John Mole, It's All Greek to Me‎:

     Perhaps some Anatolian Leigh Fermor had a bestseller among the chatterati of Topkapi with his Travels in the Egripos.

   • 2004 Peter Simmons, in Fool on the Hill [htpp://www.oneworldnet.co.uk/blog/january2004.php/]Tuesday 20 January 2004 - political incorrectness and the chatterati.
   • 2005 Christina Odone, in the Manchester Guardian, quoted in Credo by Ray Pritchard

     From when to die to when to give birth, from whom to have sex with, to how to spend their money, the chatteratis believe they should enjoy unlimited freedom.