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.
Quotation dates: 1880, 1975
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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).]
