ventriloquist [M17th] Ventriloquists speak with their belly—the word is based on Latin venter ‘belly’ and loqui ‘to speak’, from which elocution [LME], eloquent [LME], and loquacious [M17th] also derive. Originally a ventriloquist was a person appearing to speak from their abdomen because of spiritual possession. For someone who practises the skill for public entertainment it dates from just before 1800. Ventriloquy is earlier, from the late 16th century.