- The word is used by videogamers as an insult/taunt, and is probably the result of the friend's desire to use a word of the 'newbie' family with lick.
Nubsicle
blending and clipping; noun
Nubsicle, N Someone who has little to no skill at a video game, regardless of being new at the game or not. [Blending formed from roots nub & popsicle, by deletion of “pop” from the latter. See 'nub' for etymology of that particular morpheme]
Etymology : This word seems to have been formed from blending of roots nub and popsicle, with the clipping of pop- from popsicle. The root nub has its own etymology, which can be found at the page for that particular word. Nubsicle. seems to share the same meaning as its shorter counterpart however, namely someone who lacks skill at a video game (common use by gamers). When having large gaming parties, everyone is in a good mood and people often times try to make up new insults to shout after defeating another player. I can honestly not say why my friend chose this particular formation, probably by association of licking with killing and thus requiring something (like popsicle/sicle') able to be licked. The etymology of the root nub is discussed on the page for that particular word. With regards to popsicle, OED is uncertain of its origin, probably a combination of pop from lollipop and isicle (OE is (ice) + ikle).
Source : 'I'm gonna lick you up like the nubsicle you are.' - Friend, while playing Halo. - Aug 2008
Last modified: 22 November 2008