1520s, "short bit of sarcastic writing, witty scoff," of unknown origin. If the meaning "small firework that burns with a hissing noise" (also 1520s) is the original one, the word might be imitative.
雙語(yǔ)例句
1. The all-party meeting was a damp squib.
全黨大會(huì)沒(méi)有取得預(yù)期效果。
來(lái)自柯林斯例句
2. You know what I mean -- a squib or two saying that it's going to take place. "