To argue about petty and trivial matters; to engage in minor quarreling.
Originally from Middle English 'bikeren' meaning 'to attack' or 'to fight', possibly imitative of the sound of clashing weapons. The meaning softened over time from violent conflict to minor verbal disputes by the 16th century.
Bickering occupies a unique social space between serious argument and playful disagreement - it's often a sign of comfortable relationships where people feel safe to express minor irritations. Linguistically, it's one of many English words that are onomatopoetic in origin, mimicking the back-and-forth sounds of conflict.
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