Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
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, BLEB, Blaeb, v.2, n.3 The forms blabber and blebber are also used in Banff (see Gregor D. Bnff. (1866)) with all the meanings given below. [blɑb, blɛb]
1. v.
(1) “To make a gurgling noise with the lips in a liquid; to take liquid or half-liquid food in an ungraceful manner, making a gurgling sound in touching it with the lips” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 12). vbl.n. blabban, the act of taking such food in such a manner.Ib.:
That bairn hauds a naistie blabban an' suppan o'ts milk an' bread.
(2) “To drink much and frequently” (Ib.).Bch. 1928 (per Abd.15):
Saw ye ever sic a craitur for blebbin an' drinkin?Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin 131:
Blebbin amang tea.
Hence (1) blebber, “a tippler” (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.2); (2) blaebin', ppl.adj., tippling.(2) Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas, etc. 102:
And yet I've seen him, when a bill was due, Rin aff amang his blaebin' drunken crew And raise the cash.
2. n.
(1) “A gurgling noise with the lips in a liquid” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 11).
(2) A quantity of drink, gen. with the idea of excess.Ib.:
He geed t' the roup t' get a blab o' drink. Bleb is another form.Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes, etc. 80–81:
For a' your flash stage-coach declaimers I haud as only base defamers, Wha wad but back you for a blink, Then sell you for a blab o' drink.
