Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOBBER, BABBER, n.
1. Any fly on an angler's cast other than the tail or end-fly. Cf. Bob, n.4Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Bobber, Babber. In fly-fishing, the hook which plays loosely on the surface of the water, as distinguished from the trailer at the extremity of the line.Sc. 1828 Scott Journal (1890) II. 187–188:
I have caught two trouts, one with the fly, the other with the bobber.
2. “A line having several hooks at short intervals busked with feathers, which is pulled up and down as the boat drifts with the tide. Fishermen of the east coast sometimes fish for codling in this way” (Lnk.7 1934, bobber).
[Prob. from Eng. bob, to move up and down.]
