Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLAB, n.1 One who talks indiscreetly. Blab is used as a v. in St.Eng. meaning to tell or talk indiscreetly, but less often as a noun, the appearance of which N.E.D. says “has been unusual since c.1750.” Edb. 1839 W. McDowall Poems 34:
Now mark the ither, near as bad, Puff'd up, conceited, senseless blab, Wha kens na whan to haud his gab, Or whan to speak.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
Blab. A tell-tale.
Phr. to gie the blab to, to divulge, give vent to, tell tales about. Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake 24, 79:
Let Charlie gie his tale the blab. . . . Owre the window sill I tak a wee bit dab, To see hoo neebor bodies fen', but never gie't the blab.
