gabble etymology

Etymology

• Middle English gabben, "to mock, jest, chatter idly"
• Old Norse gabba, "to talk idly, chatter"
• Proto-Germanic *gabbaną, "to mock, chatter"
• Indo-European root *ghabh-, "to open the mouth"

Meaning

• To talk rapidly and incoherently
• To chatter or gossip aimlessly
• To utter meaningless or foolish words

Origin

The word "gabble" likely originated from the Indo-European root *ghabh-, which also gives us the English word "gab," meaning "mouth." This suggests that the original sense of "gabble" was to open the mouth and talk, regardless of whether the words spoken made sense.

Over time, the meaning of "gabble" evolved to refer specifically to rapid, incoherent, or meaningless speech. This usage is reflected in its use in phrases such as "the gabble of children" and "a gabble of nonsense."

gabble relate terms

• gabble

  Etymology Middle English gabben to mock jest chatter idly Old Norse gabba to talk

• chatter

  Etymology Middle English chatter from Old English cæterian meaning to talk rapi

• palaver

  Etymology The word palaver comes from the Portuguese word palavra which means word

• prate

  Etymology Proto Indo European root h₁preh₂ to spread Old English spreotan

• higgledy piggledy

  Etymology The origin of higgledypiggledy is uncertain but there are several theories

• mouth

  Etymology The word mouth comes from the Old English word mūþ which is believed to

• speak

  Etymology The word speak originates from the Old English word specan which means to

• ratchet

  Etymology The word ratchet originates from Old French rachete meaning a catch or de

• babble

  Etymology The word babble is derived from the following sources Old English babel

• taper

  Etymology Late Latin taperium taper Old French taper to tap Latin tappare t