bibble

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɪbəl/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Middle English bibben (whence bib; see there for more) +‎ -le.

Verb

bibble (third-person singular simple present bibbles, present participle bibbling, simple past and past participle bibbled)

1. To eat and/or drink noisily.
2. (intransitive) To tipple.

Derived terms

• bibbler

Related terms

• bib
• bibber

Etymology 2

A false Yiddishism, based on no actual attested Yiddish.

Verb

bibble (third-person singular simple present bibbles, present participle bibbling, simple past and past participle bibbled)

1. (colloquial) To worry.
   • 1919, Herbert Quick, The Fairview Idea: A Story of the New Rural Life, page 39:

     "Foxes have holes,' Uncle Abner," said Daisy, " 'and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.' Why should we worry when we have such a bully place as this tent?" "Ish ka bibble," said the Reverend Frank. "Well," said I, "about the time the mosquitoes begin to come out of the marsh, you'll begin to bibble."

Derived terms

• bibble-babble
• ish ka bibble

 

Etymology 3

Compare Staffordshire dialectal bibble (pebble).

Noun

bibble (plural bibbles)

1. (uncommon) A bit.
   • 1994, Nicholas Salaman, The Garden of Earthly Delights, →ISBN:

     She burst into his studio one afternoon as the light failed, in disarray, a tear freezing on her cheek, her lips trembling and a little bibble of moisture working back and forth in her nostril as she breathed.

   • 1995, Jerome Charyn, The Tar Baby, Dalkey Archive Press, →ISBN, page 79:

     […] punish Glori because she prefers to rinse its cotton dress at home, in the toilet bowl? This time I wrapped the doll in corduroy before I chucked it in. "No bleach, Glori. Just a bibble of soap."

   • 2020 July 2, Chloë Heuch, Too Dark to See, Firefly Press, →ISBN:

     I found an old black jumper, but it is ancient and has bibbles of fluff all over it. As we walk from the car to the church entrance, a bus changes gear at the brow of the hill, slowing down. I glance up. It is full of younger pupils […]

Etymology 4

Corruption of the aboriginal name "bimbil" for certain species of Eucalyptus.

Noun

bibble (plural bibbles or bibble)

1. (uncommon) A species of Australian tree, the forest red gum, glossy-leaved box, or shiny-leaved box, Eucalyptus tereticornis.
   • 1909, J. H. Maiden, A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus:

     "Bibble Box," " Broad-leaf Box," or " Peppermint Box." Useful for fencing purposes, &c. Strong and durable. Habitat, open forests and low flats. Plentiful in some localities. Flowering period varies.

   • 1910, New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Assembly, Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, page 280:

     The timber on the estate consists of white and bibble box, apple tree, red gum, ironbark, pine, and river oak. There are about 2,695 acres of dense pine scrub, interspersed with many of the natural scrubs and trees peculiar to […]