Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FAB, n.2, v.
I. n. A truant (Slg.2 1916; Slg. 1941). Phr. to play the fab, to play truant (Ib.). Slg. 1900 J. L. Graham Old Boys 196:
A few of us boys played truant, or, to use another expression common with us, "played the fab."
II. v. To play truant. Hence fabber, a truant (Ib.).
[Cf. Eng. fob, to cheat, put off.]