This is a noun which describes a Television Remote Control, as in "Pass me the dibber, I want to change channel." A noun, or noun substantive, is a part of speech (a word or phrase) which can co-occur with (in)definite articles and attributive adjectives, and function as the head of a noun phrase. ... A television remote control A remote control is an electronic device used for the remote operation of a machine. ...

This usage is relatively new and was first used in southern England circa 1982. Its use has recently spread to Atlanta (Ga, USA) and Boston (Ma, USA) as well as other parts of southern England.

Dibber has an older, alternate usage, such as that found in the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. In this context a dibber is a pointed hand operated wooden tool for making holes in the ground so that seeds or bulbs can be planted.

The dibber, or dibble, is the simplest garden tool. Its only job is to poke holes in the dirt. A dibber is good for planting little bulbs, small seedlings or seeds. Dibbers come in a variety of designs including: Straight dibber, T-Handled dibber, Trowel Dibber, L-Shaped dibber, and alan Simpson dibber.

History

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, farmers would use long handled dibbers of metal or wood to plant crops. One man would walk with a dibber making holes, and a second man would plant seeds in each hole and fill it in.

Straight Dibber

This is the classic dibber. It is anything generaly anything from a sharped stick, to a good quality curved handle and a pointed steel end.

T-Handled Dibber

This dibber is much like the classic dibber, but with a T-grip that fits in the palm with minimum torque. This allows the user to exert even pressure creating consistant hole depth.

Trowel Dibber

This is a unique dibber with the features of a dibber and a trowel. usually forged from aluminum or other lightweight material, one end is for dibbing, and the other end shaped like a trowel.

L-Shaped Dibber

Alan Simpson Dibber

This is the most creative adaptation of the dibber, and often called the cadillac of Dibbers. It has been featured in the smithsonian for its beautiful design. The polypropylene handle is securely socketed into the solid chrome base. Divets on either side allow the shaft to penetrate the soil with less effort.