colloq., reduplication of WOBBLE (with vowel-variation symbolizing alternation of movement: cf. zigzag); hence Wibble as a simple word (conjoined with wobble). So Wibbly-wobbly (also simply Wibbly), Wibblety-wobblety adjs., characterized by ‘wibbling and wobbling,’ unsteady.
1847. Halliwell, Wibble-wobble, unsteadily.
1871. L. W. M. Lockhart, Fair to see, I. ii. 49. The ample round red face, which wibbled and wobbled in its billowy fatness.
1877. Holderness Gloss., Wibblety-wobblety, shaky; tottering; insecure. Wibble-wobble, to vibrate; to quiver; to oscillate.
1901. B’ham Daily Post, 16 Dec. (E.D.D.). His wibblely-wobblely speeches.
1905. Motor-Car Jrnl., 23 Sept., 630/1. The gait [of a motor-car] was ungainly by reason of the wibbly-wobbly nature of a rear wheel.
1914. Daily News, 5 June, 6. I … hauled myself up again, and with wibbly knees crossed to the bushes south of the track.
