making small bubbles that rise to the surface, or overflowing with excitement and energy.
From Middle English 'bobelen', likely imitating the sound of bubbles. Related to 'bob' and originally onomatopoetic, describing the actual sound and motion of bubbles.
Bubbling is pure onomatopoeia—the word actually sounds like bubbles! When you say it, your lips do that pouty 'b' sound just like bubbles popping, which is why so many bubble-related words start with 'b'.
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