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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COBS, n.pl. Money.Sc. 1814 Scott in J. G. Lockhart Life of Scott (1837) III. xxxiii.:
I am perfectly serious and confident, that in two or three months you might clear the cobs.n.Ant. 1931 “Ballymoney” in North. Whig (11 Dec.) 13/1:
“He is in boozing his cobs,” spending his money in drink.

[A generalised application of cob, a Spanish dollar or “piece of eight,” used in Ireland in 17th and 18th cents., and later in various British possessions and U.S.A. (cob-money). Scott himself uses it in this sense (Pirate xxxi.). N.E.D. considers it as prob. the same as cob = anything large.]

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