To shake or tremble slightly, often from cold or nervousness; to move in a quivering manner.
From Middle English 'didderen,' possibly related to 'diddle' or dialectal terms meaning to shake. The word likely originates from imitative roots that echo the physical motion of trembling.
This word is a linguistic cousin of onomatopoeia—it literally sounds like what it means! The 'd' sounds create a stammering effect that mirrors the physical action of shaking or trembling, making English speakers unconsciously understand it even without definition.
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