Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RAB, n.², v. Also raab, rabe.

I. n. Idle, silly talk, incoherent nonsense (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1967).Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 102:
What med dee come wi' aa yon rabe ti' da unkin lasses da streen, whin doo kent better?

II. v. To talk nonsense, to babble away (Sh. 1967). Ppl.adj. rabbin, babbling, garrulous.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (23 July):
I faer der aye mair o' dat confoondid nonsense raabid comin' hame frae da hoos o' Güd dan sood be.Sh. 1901 Ib. (13 April):
Du kens he is sic a rabbin soul, nane can believe him.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 35:
Hit wid a vexed da hert a' a saant oot o heeven, far less a bursen mortal, ta see a lock o' folk comin' dryllin behint a', an' raabin a lock o' nonsense ta ane anidder.