In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
TAUNT
twit, taunt, taunting
(noun) aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
tease, razz, rag, cod, tantalize, tantalise, bait, taunt, twit, rally, ride
(verb) harass with persistent criticism or carping; “The children teased the new teacher”; “Don’t ride me so hard over my failure”; “His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Verb
taunt (third-person singular simple present taunts, present participle taunting, simple past and past participle taunted)
to make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner.
Noun
taunt (plural taunts)
A scornful or mocking remark; a jeer or mockery
Etymology 2
Adjective
taunt (comparative more taunt, superlative most taunt)
(nautical) Very high or tall.
Source: Wiktionary
Taunt, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. tant so great, F. tant so much, L. tantus of such size, so great, so much.] (Naut.)
Definition: Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. Totten.
Taunt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Taunting.] Etym: [Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. tanter to tempt, to try, for tenter. See Tempt.]
Definition: To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout. When I had at my pleasure taunted her. Shak.
Syn.
– To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See Deride.
Taunt, n.
Definition: Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective. With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. Shak. With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. Prior.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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