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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GRUB, v., n.¹

I. v. 1. As in Eng.: to uproot, clear ground of weeds, etc. Hence (1) grubber, an iron harrow, usu. with cultivator tines, used esp. for weeding in drills, a scarifier. Gen.Sc. Also in Nhb. dial.; (2) grub-harrow, id.(1) e.Lth. 1814 Farmer's Mag. (May) 198:
The Grubber, an improved Implement of Husbandry, lately introduced into the County of East Lothian, and fast gaining ground there, for expediting the Cleaning and Pulverizing of Fallows, and for other processes in the improved Agriculture of the District.m.Lth. 1845 Stat. Acc.² I. 17:
There is an instrument in use here . . . called a grubber, which is drawn by one horse, and is used with effect in clearing out the weeds between the drills of potatoes and turnips.Sc. 1848 Chambers's Information I. 487:
The common Scotch grubber resembles a strong harrow frame, running upon four wheels and guided like a plough.Kcd. 1894 J. Kerr Reminisc. III. 15:
The steam engines will then, wi' the grubber again, The field ready for seedin' prepare.Abd. 1948 Abd. Press & Jnl. (Nov.):
Set of S. T. Harrows, 5-Tined Grubber, Plough, Grubber.(2) Abd. 1854 Justiciary Reports (1855) 383:
He wanted a grub-harrow for turnip-land.

2. To grasp at (money) in a mean or parsimonious manner (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.; ne.Sc., Ags., Kcb. 1955). Ppl.adj. grubbing, grasping, stingy.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 344:
I'm but ane humble dusty miller, No unco fond of grubbing siller.Ib. 93:
He pat the bawbee in his purse, But seldom took it out . . . Was just a grubbing, shyling cuif.

Deriv.: grubber, A scrounger. (Ags. 2000s).Ayr. 1997:
Ye're a wee grubber (said to kids).

Phr.: in the grubber, Having too little or no money.m.Lth. 1993:
You bairns will see me in the grubber!Sc. 1996 Scotland on Sunday 3 Nov 24:
"I seem to recall," writes Graham Stephen of Montrose, "my mother telling me as a wee laddie that if things did not improve, we should all land up in 'the grubber' - she meant the local poor house."
Dave Ralston of Castlemilk writes: "My mates and I still use the phrase 'the grubber'. I might say to my pal, 'fancy a pint?', and if he says to me 'no, I'm in the grubber this week', what he means is that he's skint. We quite often use this phrase with each other."wm.Sc. 1999 Andrew O'Hagan Our Fathers (2000) 190:
It's dunder-heads like you that's got the country in the grubber.Sc. 2003 Aberdeen Evening Express 10 Jul 18:
"Get your student loan here - and put yourself in the grubber for years to come."Sc. 2003 Daily Star 10 Oct 6:
Mind you, I still wish the bit of Connolly about me wasn't his eyes or his voice, but his money. Well, not HIS money, exactly, because that would be stealing and leave the poor man in the grubber, but you know what I mean.Sc. 2004 Evening Times 15 Dec 32:
So, if it came to dropping Rangers in the grubber and depriving them of their best player - again - or being found out, I think I know which way I might go.

II. n. A stingy person, a money-grubber. Also in Eng. dial.Gsw. 1838 A. Rodger Poems 338:
The groveling grub for gear may scheme.Rnf. 1862 A. McGilvray Poems 248:
Ye wordly grubs with hearts of steel.