Petty, insignificant things happen to each of us every day, and in many cases, we don't even notice them when they happen. Sometimes - for me, specifically - some of these petty things can turn into a quibble between my husband and me, which often turns into some form of play-fight or tickle match.
A quibble can be done in a joking manner, such as bickering about whose fault it is that the window was left open when both of us are getting rained on. But it can certainly turn into something serious if we allow petty things to get between us and our relationship. I find it most important to see my husband and me as a team, so we never fight about anything serious - instead, we tackle our problems together. Yes, this includes fights where one of us is at fault.
Quibble | kwi-bəl: 1) Verb: to evade the point of an argument by caviling* about words; 2) noun: an evasion of or shift from the point; a minor objection or criticism
Sadly, there's not much information on the etymology of the word, quibble. In fact, according to Merriam-Webster, it is certainly a word that is quibbled about in terms of origination. However, the theory is that quibble appeared somewhere in the seventeenth century as a new derivative of quib, which had the same exact meaning.
Merriam-Webster also mentions the theory that quibble is related to the Latin word, qui, which translates to who. If this is the case, then quibble has some distant relation to who. I could see why, too, since we often play the blame game when we quibble with others.
Quibble | kwɪb.əl: 1) verb: to argue about, or say you disapprove of, something that is not important; 2) noun: a complaint or criticism about something that is not very important
Today's example takes us all the way back to the days of Ned Stark and his days as Hand of the King. For those who have been hiding under a rock and don't want any spoilers, go at least watch the first season of Game of Thrones before returning to read this. Otherwise, continue on young grasshopper.
Ned has always been a favorite of mine, though part of me agreed with Varys about him being a complete fool when it came to dealing with the Lannisters. Had he shown more tact, he'd maybe have survived to book two. Maybe. But his honor was absolutely unquestionable, and he wasn't a man to squabble with others if he knew it wasn't going to get him anywhere. I feel the example I wish to show today portrays that quality very well.
"You send hired knives to kill a fourteen-year-old girl and still quibble about honor?" He pushed back his chair and stood. "Do it yourself, Robert. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. Look her in the eyes before you kill her. See her tears, hear her last words. You owe her that much at least."
The conversation still gives me goosebumps. As do many of the sentences in this book with the beautiful way they are written.
How would you use quibble? Would you prefer a simpler, more regularly-used word, such as bicker or squabble? What other words would you like to see? Let me know all that and more, and until tomorrow, happy reading!
*Cavil: to raise trivial and frivolous objection - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Comments