Looking for a verb or expression...

[Mehrgan]

How would you put it when you see two people, in a rivalry for example, begin to talk boldly to discourage and dishearten the other person? This, also, commonly happens before a friendly match when the two people/groups try to use words to weaken the other one's confidence and show how powerful, intelligent, etc they are. (In my language the expression is used in sports, fights, as well as in old texts when two heros/warrriors would use chants or sentences to both show who they were, and perhaps put off the rival before they crushed them into pieces!!! )) )

 

[MikeNewYork]

The words "demoralize" and "intimidate" come to mind. Slang expressions used in sports for attempting to intimidate an opponent are "trash-talk" and "talk smack".

 

[Mehrgan]

Thanks a lot! (Couldn't find the 'Thanks' button...)

Is there any such term in literature too?

 

[MikeNewYork]

The forum is having trouble today. I lost my "thank" and "like" functions also. What do you mean by "in literature"? I can assure you that "intimidate" and "demoralize" exist in literature.

 

[Tdol]

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Thanks a lot! (Couldn't find the 'Thanks' button...)

It has been removed temporarily while we're upgrading the forum software.

 

[emsr2d2]

The banter and sarcastic/rude exchanges between opposing players and teams has various names, depending on the sport involved. For example, in cricket it's called "sledging". Online I found that in ice hockey it's "chirping" and in baseball it's "trash talk".

 

[Mehrgan]

The forum is having trouble today. I lost my "thank" and "like" functions also. What do you mean by "in literature"? I can assure you that "intimidate" and "demoralize" exist in literature.

Thanks again! Actually I was just wondering if there was any exact equivalent with the same meaning for the specific contexts I had in mind. It seems, or perhaps it's just my false interpretation, 'demoralisation' can be used used in other contexts, through other sorts of behavious as well. However, you've given me some great words! Cheers!

 

[Mehrgan]

The banter and sarcastic/rude exchanges between opposing players and teams has various names, depending on the sport involved. For example, in cricket it's called "sledging". Online I found that in ice hockey it's "chirping" and in baseball it's "trash talk".

It's also quite common, in Iran, before playing card games, chess, backgammon, etc. when people do their best to show they're way better than the other side, considering the techniques and strategies they have. Ta!