ish ka bibble
phraseEtymology Supposedly a borrowing from Yiddish, with disputed origins. One theory is that it is a corruption of the German nicht gefiedelt ("not flustered"). Another possibility is that it comes from German ich kaan bedibbert ("I am abashed"). Possibly a fake Yiddishism.
1
Why should I worry?; I don't care.
- Guess they thought we would crawfish, But there was never a word or a quibble ; When they offered us freights, among others, We said "Let 'em come, ish-ka-bibble."1913, The Santa Fe Magazine - Volume 8, page 74:
- Surveying your individual reasons, Nature remarks "Ish ka bibble" in a bored tone and goes on to run the square and the level over the job.1914, Steam Machinery: A Magazine of Men, Machinery and Methods:
1 more example
- "Guess I'll do some diving from the raft today," I said, pointedly, to Sonny. "Ish ka bibble," Sonny said.1989, Helen Harris Perlman, The Dancing Clock, and Other Childhood Memories, page 95:
- Related terms
- ishkabibble