Squabbles

/ˈskwɑːbəlz/ noun, verb

Definition

Short, petty arguments or quarrels, usually about something minor; to argue in this way.

Etymology

From Scandinavian origins, possibly related to Old Norse 'skvabbr'; the word entered English in the 1600s and specifically means to quarrel over trivial matters.

Kelly Says

Squabbles are fascinating linguistically because the word itself sounds like what it describes—the hard 'sq' sound and short vowels make it imitative, so saying 'squabbles' actually mimics the quick, snappy nature of petty arguments.

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