Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1918-1922
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DIBBER-DABBER, Deebir-dabber, v. and n.
1. v. To wrangle, to argue (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 37; Bnff.2 1940; Abd.27 1950; Abd. 1993).Bnff. 1918 J. Mitchell Bydand 14:
Nae mair I'll deebir-dabber noo, Nor scutter wi' a cairt or ploo.
2. n. Wrangling, argument (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 37). Also used adv. = ding-dong, hammer and tongs (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. doung).Bnff. 1922 E. S. Rae Glen Sketches 48:
He was a noted servant, and knew if he went to market aul' Auchnies and others . . . would, without dibber-dabber, give him his fee.
