Bicker
/ˈbɪk.ər/noun
To argue in a petty, back-and-forth way, or to move rapidly with a light, repeated motion.
Did you know?The word’s history is messy and possibly mixed, but one older source links it to Dutch and Low German forms for rapid, repeated striking—like a verbal sparring match turned into a word.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Early Germanic
Germanic
*bik- / *bikjan
“A proposed Germanic base connected with pecking or striking repeatedly; the exact origin is uncertain.”
Middle Dutch
Dutch
bikken
“To peck, chip, or hack at something repeatedly.”
Middle Low German
Low German
bicken
“To peck or strike repeatedly.”
15th Century
English
bikeren / bickeren
“To quarrel or speak in a sharp, repeated way; also to move rapidly back and forth.”
Modern English
English
bicker
“To argue in a petty, repeated way; also to move or flash with quick repeated motions.”