A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1438, 1513
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Gabbing, Gabing, vbl. n. [ME. gabbinge (a 1250), gabbyng, -ing, f. Gab v.] Telling of untruths; lying. — 1375 Barb. iv. 301.
Now seis thow I mak na gabing 1375 Ib. 769.
Quha sais he knawis thingis To cum, he makis gret gabbingis [E. gabingis] 1375 Ib. v. 510. c1420 Wynt. viii. 5279.
He made tharoff na gabbyng, For on the morn [etc.] ?1438 Alex. i. 476.
I sall … Ga tell thir tythingis to the King; He sal nocht call thame gabbing ?1438 Ib. 2901.
Sa did he thair, without gabbing 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 203.
Quhilk is na gabbyng suythly, nor na lie
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"Gabbing vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/gabbing>
