Definition of the word rattle off

The origin of the phrase "rattle off" can be traced back to the mid-19th century when it was first used to describe the sound of metal objects being shaken together, like a rattle filled with small objects. Over time, the term would come to describe the rapid and iterative delivery of spoken words, as the sound of words being spoken quickly and successively can resemble the sound of items rattling in a container. The meaning of the phrase has evolved over time to describe the act of rapidly and continuously producing a series of words or items in a list, especially when done so without taking much pause or thought between each item. Studies have shown that the phrase may have originated in a British dialect, but its popularity has since spread around the world, making it a commonly used expression in modern English. Whether used inclined ly or disparagingly, "rattle off" continues to describe the speed and efficiency with which someone can recite a list with authority and familiarity.