bibble

To eat and/or drink noisily.

Noun uncommon

  1. A bit.
    • 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. - 1994,...
    • […] 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." - 1995, Jerome...
    • 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...

Origin

Compare Staffordshire dialectal bibble (pebble).

Forms

bibbles

Noun uncommon

  1. A species of Australian tree, the forest red gum, glossy-leaved box, or shiny-leaved box, Eucalyptus tereticornis.
    • "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. - 1909, J. H....
    • 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...

Origin

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

Forms

bibbles bibble

Verb Entry 3

  1. To eat and/or drink noisily.
  2. To tipple.

Origin

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

Forms

bibbles bibbling bibbled

Related

bib bibber

Derived

bibbler

Verb colloquial

  1. To worry.
    • "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...

Origin

A false Yiddishism, based on no actual attested Yiddish.

Forms

bibbles bibbling bibbled

Derived

bibble-babble ish ka bibble