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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BUBBY, Buby, n. Also contr. form bub.

1. “The breast” (Bnff.4 1912). Mostly used in pl. (Ayr.4 1928, bubs; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl., bubies; Kcb.1 1929, bubbies), and extended by synecdoche in quot. 2 to mean a young woman.Sc. 1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is a Bottomless Pit iii. viii.:
Why don't you go and suck the Bubby?
Sc. 1756 A. Pennecuik Collection Sc. Songs (1787) 47:
Bony bubbies, wi' your nut brown hair.

2. “Udder” (Abd. 1914 T.S.D.C. I.).

[Cf. Ger. dial. bübbi, teat (Grimm). Prob. imitative from baby language.]

4740

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