Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLUBBER-TOTUM, -TOTTUM, -TOTEM, n. [′blʌbər ′totʌm, -′tɔtəm]
1. “Soups, gruel, etc., made too thin” (Abd.4 1929).Abd.13 1933:
That's blubber tottum ye've gien's the day.
2. (See quot.)Bch. 1931 (per Abd.4):
Blubber-totem, a harvest drink made of meal and buttermilk.
3. “Blubber-totum, tea” (Abd.4 1929).
[Blubber, bubble, and totum, contr. (used disparagingly) for tee-totum, a gambling game for trivial stakes.]
