FromMiddle Englishaftertale, equivalent toafter- +‎tale. Cognate withMiddle Dutchachtertale,achtertaele.

aftertale (pluralaftertales)

1. Eviltalk;slander;defamation.
   • 1999, James Joyce,Finnegans Wake:

     Our cad's bit of strife (knee Bareniece Maxwelton) with a quick ear for spittoons (as theaftertale hath it)[…]

2. Apostscript added to the end of astory.
3. A postscript added where a story should end.

• (antonym(s) of“postscript”):foretale

• afterword

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