gribble

See also: Gribble

English

illustration of the gribble (Limnoria lignorum) by Augusta Foote Arnold

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹɪ.bəl/, /ˈɡɹɪ.bl̩/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪbəl

Etymology 1

Uncertain. Compare grub, from Proto-Germanic *grub- (“to dig”).

Noun

gribble (plural gribbles)

1. Any of various wood-boring marine crustaceans of the genus Limnoria, especially Limnoria lignorum, which cause damage to underwater wooden structures.

Etymology 2

Possibly related to grumble.

Adjective

gribble (comparative more gribble, superlative most gribble)

1. (Bermuda) Tending to grumble; grumpy, irascible.
   • 1984, Peter A. Smith, Fred M. Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds, Island Press:

     You're always gribble first thing in the morning.

Etymology 3

Uncertain.

Noun

gribble (plural gribbles)

1. (UK, Devon, in the plural) A piece of deep-fried batter left over from frying fish, sometimes sold with chips.

   Synonym: scrap

   • [2020 September 4, Ben Butler, “REVEALED: UK’s brutal verdict on these Wigan chip-shop favourites”, in Wigan Today‎^[1]:

     The study also reveals that Wigan likely calls excess batter bits ‘Scraps’ or ‘Bits’, compared to the south west and east of the UK who are more likely to order ‘Gribbles’ or ‘Scrumps’.]

   • 2023, Sheila M. Hutchings, Humble Beginnings‎^[2], →ISBN:

     Margaret also played her part in filling our hungry mouths by working at the local fish and chip shop in the village and by bringing home all the leftovers which we devoured ravenously—gribbles, the odd faggot etc. etc.—delicious.

   • 2023 August 17, Pssstu2021, “What does everyone call these from the chippy?”, in Reddit‎^[3], r/CasualUK:

     Went to a Chippy as a Kid.
     Me "do you have Pigs Feet?"
     Lass Behind Counter "Yes I do".
     Me "Well give us a bag of GRIBBLES then Porky!!!"

References

• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Anagrams

• glibber