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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NIBBIE, n. Also nibby, knibbie (Rxb. 1916 Kelso Chron. (29 Dec.) 3). A walking stick with a hooked head, a staff, a shepherd's crook (Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 152; Kcb. 1911 Gallovidian XIII. 40; Rxb. 1954 Hawick News (18 June); sm. and s.Sc. 1964), a blow with such a stick. Also in Cum. dial. Cf. Kebbie, n.Edb. 1812 W. Glass Caled. Parnassus 53:
The father an' mother first led aff the dancin', By help o' their nibbies they fittet it weel.Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
Gin I get had o' my nibbie, I'se reesle yer riggin for ye.Slk. 1886 J. Russell Yarrow 170:
Two or three shepherds had to . . . use their nibbies unmercifully.Lnk. 1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups xiii.:
Jock took the legs frae him wi' his nibbie.Gall. 1898 A. J. Armstrong Revellers 195:
It was rale guid to let me get mairrit at the same time as him and Jeanie. Twa kills wi' ae nibby.Rxb. 1913 J. Byers Hamely Musings 151:
Rax doon his weel-worn hazel nibbie.

Combs.: 1. nibbie-end, the knob-end of a staff (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); 2. nibbyiron, a golf-club of a particular kind, a Niblick; 3. nibbie-staff, -stick, a walking stick (Ib., 1942 Zai, Rxb. 1964).2. Fif. 1869 St. Andrews Gaz. (15 May):
Strath, having laid his ball by his “teed” shot in the cart track, Tom played a beautiful shot out with his nibby iron.3. Dmf. 1866 Carlyle Reminisc. (1881) II. 260:
She was in her Indian dressing-gown, absolutely beautiful, leaning on her nibby staff (a fine hazel, cut and polished from the Drumlanrig woods, by some friend for my service).