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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.

Quotation dates: 1721, 1880-1929

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CRAB, n. and v.

I. n. In comb. crab-grained, bad-tempered (Abd.13 1912). Cf. Eng. crabbed and crossgrained.Kcb. 1896 S. R. Crockett Grey Man xi.:
John Dick . . . after all was a man, though a crab-grained and ill-conditioned one.

II. v. Also in form crib.

1. intr. To become angry; “to show signs of rebellion, to grouse” (Kcb.10 1940, crib).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 80:
Crab without a cause, and mease without amends.

2. tr. (1) With at: to find fault with, scold; (2) to anger, provoke.(1) Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
A couldn't thole bein' crabbed at, when A didn't do nothin' ondaicent.(2) Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 104:
You tirred the kirks, and crabbit God.

III. Phr.: to get on the crab, to become irritated, to take offence.Tyr. 1929 “M. Mulcaghey” Rhymes 23:
The man who never kicks a ball, Nor figures in a punchin' bout, Is always gettin' on the crab.

[O.Sc. has crab, craib, tr., to annoy, irritate, 1456; intr., to become angry or ill-natured, c.1460 (D.O.S.T.). Prob. a back-formation from Crabbit, which came orig. from crab, the crustacean, but was associated later with crab, the sour wild apple.]

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