- sob (v.)
- c.1200, probably of imitative origin, related to Old English seofian "to lament," Old High German sufan "to draw breath," West Frisian sobje "to suck."
Related: Sobbed; sobbing. The noun is attested from late 14c. Sob story is from 1913. Sob sister "female journalist who writes sentimental stories or advice columns" is from 1912.