quibble

What it means

1. An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint.First known use 17th c.

   He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.

   4 more examples

   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

   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 28, 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

   Synonyms: argument, argy-bargy, altercation, contention, barney, bawl out, blue, bobbery

2. archaicA pun.First known use 17th c.

   Is it a quibble, or play upon words?

   1864, Robert Kemp Philp, editor, The Family Friend, page 54

   1 more example

   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

In a sentence

He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.

Where it comes from

1. Latinquibus“in what respect? how?”
2. Englishquibble

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”).

First known use: 17th c.