To move up and down with short, quick movements, or to make a small mistake in sports or performance.
Likely from Middle English 'bobben,' with roots in imitative or onomatopoetic origins—the word itself mimics the bouncing movement it describes. Related to 'bob' and possibly 'bubble.'
In baseball, a 'bobble' is when a fielder mishandles a ball, and the term's bouncy sound perfectly captures that awkward fumbling moment—English sports terminology is full of words that literally sound like what they mean.
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