【Banter】 , 【chaff】 , 【kid】 , 【rag】 , 【rib】 , 【josh】 , 【jolly】 are comparable when denoting to make fun of good-naturedly (as by reminding one of an actual fault, foible, failure, or shortcoming, by exaggerated praise obviously remote from the truth, or by playful imputation of undeserved success).
The same distinctions in implications and connotations are found in their corresponding nouns.
【Banter】 is the generic term and may usually be substituted for any of the others, though not without loss of specificness.
To 【chaff】 is to nettle with rough 【banter】 .
【Kid】 is frequently as general in meaning as 【banter】 .
More often than perhaps any other word in this group, however, it specifically implies an attempt at good-natured imposition on one's gullibility; thus, "No kidding?" is a common way of asking "Are you serious?" of one who has made a statement that sounds incredible.
Used with a reflexive pronoun, 【kid】 implies a shutting one's eyes to the truth.
To 【rag】 is to 【banter】 repeatedly or persistently and often annoyingly to the victim.
【Rib】 implies bantering under conditions which make it impossible or inadvisable for the butt to retort or defend himself and also may imply specifically the enactment of a role on the part of the ribber.
【Josh】 and especially 【jolly】 imply transparent good humor in the funmaker.
【Josh】 usually suggests homeliness and unsophistication.
【Jolly】 often implies an ulterior aim such as putting the person bantered into good humor so that he will grant a favor.
