Etymology 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”).
1
An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint.
He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.
Quibbles […]have no place in the search after truth.1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC:
3 more examples
As the two railways were to meet end-on, providing a continuous line from Parkside to Lancaster, it would have been expected that they would work together harmoniously for their common interests, but the quibble over the connection strained the relationship from the beginning.1960 February 23, M. D. Greville and G. O. Holt, “Railway Development in Preston—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 96:
Toward the end of “Galatea,” there are a few missteps: […] All in all, though, these are minor quibbles.1995 June 27, Michiko Kakutani, “Playing Pygmalion to a Hermeneutic Computer”, in New York Times:
Essentially, we want a commitment to no-quibble refunds, without admin fees, if people who have already paid decide not to travel because of the virus.2020 March 25, “Network News: Passengers offered refunds or switched fares”, in Rail, page 7:
Is it a quibble, or play upon words?1864, Robert Kemp Philp, editor, The Family Friend, page 54:
This is a quibble between council and counsel. The latter word is still used to imply secrecy; as in the phrase, "keep your own counsel."1870, Richard Grant White, The complete works of Shakspere, with a memoir, and essay:
quibble
verb
Etymology 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”).
1
Informal To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.
They are constantly quibbling over insignificant details.
“Oh, if you talk in that sense!” said Mr. Standish, with as much disgust at such non-legal quibbling as a man can well betray towards a valuable client.1871, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter X, in Middlemarch […], volume I, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book (please specify |book=I to VIII):
2 more examples
“I dog no one, Mr. Temple,” I replied bitterly. “We'll not quibble about words,” said he.1904 May, Winston Churchill, chapter VI, in The Crossing, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, book II (Flotsam and Jetsam), page 314:
Mr. Musk has shown a disdain toward Twitter’s previous corporate culture. He has quibbled with the number of bird references in the company’s internal team names and products.2023 July 24, Ryan Mac, Tiffany Hsu, “From Twitter to X: Elon Musk Begins Erasing an Iconic Internet Brand”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2
Informal, Rare To contest, especially some trivial issue in a petty manner.