 
Verbal
The Latin word verbum means 'a word', from which we get the English word 'verbal'. Because of its Latin roots, 'verbal' was originally used to refer to anything that is concerned with words or that is expressed in words. In recent years, however, the word has come to refer particularly to the spoken word. We generally assume, for example, that verbal abuse means face-to-face insults, and that a 'verbal agreement' is different from a written contract. Some people prefer to use the word 'oral' to refer to the spoken word. (The Latin word 'oro' means 'to speak'.) They argue that to give a 'verbal promise' is silly, because a promise must be verbal!
Interestingly, 'verbal' is most commonly used in phrases like 'verbal abuse', 'verbal attack', 'verbal assault', which suggests that anything 'verbal' is likely to be angry or aggressive. There are some common phrases that don't have this negative sense. Someone who has good 'verbal skills' can juggle words, just like those with good ball skills can control a ball.
These two aspects of 'verbal' have become so well established in modern English that 'verbal' (which is an adjective) has developed into a new plural noun, 'verbals'. It is a shorthand way of referring to a rant or torrent of abuse. It's usually professional sportsmen who 'give', 'hand out' or 'dish out' verbals, as in this example: 'he ran past and carried on with the backchat and verbals towards me'. That was Vinnie Jones – a master of the verbals.
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