We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BEB(B), v., tr. and intr. To sip, to tipple; to brim over (of water, etc.). [′bɛb]Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 57:
We are said to bebb ourselves with any thing, when we fill ourselves too full — the tide when full is said to be bebbin fu.
Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 51:
Beb. 1. To drink a liquid in small quantities. centr.–w.[Rxb.]. 2. To tipple (especially to excess) w.[Rxb.].
Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 23:
A saw um, thereckly, bebbin an taain oot ov a bottle.
Ettr. For. 1825 Jam.2:
Beb. To drink immoderately, to swill, to be addicted to intoxicating liquor.

[A variant of bib. Bebbing, vbl.n. = drinking, occurs in O.Sc. 1655. (See D.O.S.T.)]

2217

snd