Malicious gossip finds verbal form in this compound. Third John 1:10 employs it to describe Diotrephes's behavior: he babbles against John and the brothers with evil words. Classical usage meant talking nonsense or playing the fool, but the New Testament instance adds intentional malice—this isn't mere foolish chatter but verbal assault through gossip and slander. The compound structure (φλύαρος + -έω = babbler + verb) suggests empty talk weaponized. Spanish 'parloteando-contra' and German 'schwätzen' capture the trivializing yet damaging nature: words meant to harm cloaked in casual chatter.