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.
GUB, n., v. Also gubb, gob. [Sh. gʊb, Ork. gʌb]
I. n. 1. Foam, froth, lather, scum (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gubb, Sh. 1955), “sea-foam churned into a lather in crevices of the rocks by the action of the waves” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); fish-slime (Sh., Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Sh. 1955).
Hence gubless, producing no lather, foamless. Sh. 1975 New Shetlander No. 112. 27:
Gubless shaveen sop.
2. A muddy, miry or swampy piece of ground, a puddle (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), gob; Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1955). Gen. in pl. gubs (Marw.).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 77:
I laid me with tae pu you oot o the gubs.
II. v. To make a lather (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1955).
[n.1. and n. 2. may be different words, n.1. being phs. a variant of Gob, n.2, v.2, and n.2. from Norw. dial. gop, a pit, abyss (cf. gopel, a muddy mass).]
