quibble

Meaning

Noun

1. An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint.
2. (archaic) A pun.

Verb

1. (informal, intransitive) To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.
2. (informal, rare, transitive) To contest, especially some trivial issue in a petty manner.

Synonyms

cavil

niggle

equivocate

bicker

nitpick

pettifog

prevaricate

carp

sophism

nit-pick

squabble

quip

quiddity

pun

rain on one’s parade

quirk

brabble

shift

evade

haze

carp at

whine

fallacy

split hairs

dodge

subterfuge

find fault with

haggle

henpeck

include

logomachy

loophole

lump together

nag

negotiate

objection

palter

peck

pedantic

pedantry

prevarication

quibbling

riddle

shuffle

shun

sophistication

sophistry

stall

sum up

tergiversate

Translations

chicaner

ergoter

haarkloven

schikanieren

bedillen

cavillo

chipoter

muggeziften

sutileza

argutie

vitten

criticar

cavillare

cavillari

Haarspalterei

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkwɪbəl/

Etymology

Cognate with Dutch: kwebbelen

Cognate with Scots: wheebele

In summary

Origin uncertain. Possibly from quib (“quibble”, noun) + -le (diminutive ending). Quib is probably from Latin quibus (“in what respect? how?”), which appeared frequently in legal documents and came to be suggestive of the verbosity and petty argumentation found therein; or perhaps an alteration of quip. Alternatively, perhaps related to dialectal Dutch kwebbelen (“to speak quickly and continuously, chatter”). Compare also Scots wheebele (“a quibble”).