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.
Quotation dates: 1829-1863, 1925
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NIBBLE, v., n. Sc. usages:
‡I. v. 1. tr. To fidget or play with, to fiddle with the fingers on (Ork. 1964). Obs. in Eng. from 17th c.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1866) vii.:
The hem of the garment which she was nibbling with her hands.
2. With up: to snatch with the fingers, grab, nab. Cf. Eng. slang nibble, to catch, nab, pilfer.Dmf. 1863 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 249:
Tae . . . nibble up His black bag fu' o' 'tataes.
II. n. Fig. A catch, bargain, a welcome piece of good fortune, a stroke of luck (s.Sc. 1962).Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 23:
A gien um a thripny-bit. Sic a nibble for um!
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"Nibble v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nibble>
