'bantery' originates from English, formed from the noun 'banter' + the adjectival suffix '-y', where '-y' meant 'characterized by' or 'full of'.

'banter' appears in mid-18th-century English meaning 'good-humored, teasing talk'; the adjective form 'bantery' developed later by adding '-y' to denote 'given to banter'.

Initially associated with 'light, playful conversation', the sense has remained largely similar and now describes a person or remark 'characterized by playful teasing'.