“The term “byte” comes from “bite,” as in the smallest amount of data a computer could “bite” at once. The spelling change not only reduced the chance of a “bite” being mistaken for a “bit,” but also was consistent with the penchant of early computer scientists to make up words and change spellings. A byte was also often referred to as “an 8-bit byte”, reinforcing the notion that it was a tuple of n bits, and that other sizes were possible.”
“The term “nibble” originates from the fact that the term “byte” is a pun on the English word “bite”. A nibble is a small bite, which in this context is construed as “half a bite”. The alternative spelling “nybble” parallels the spelling of “byte”, as noted in editorials in Kilobaud and Byte in the early eighties.”
We need to go back in time and drink from whatever fountain of win these people indulged in.