Gibe

/dʒaɪb/ verb, noun

Definition

To mock or taunt someone in a rude or scornful way; a rude or insulting remark.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, possibly from Old Norse *giba. First recorded in English in the 1560s. Related to 'jibe' (meaning to agree), though gibe developed its own meaning of 'to mock,' distinct from the other word.

Kelly Says

English has two homophones 'gibe' and 'jibe'—one means to mock, the other means to agree—and people confuse them constantly. They probably started as the same word but evolved different meanings!

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