Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RHUBARB, n. Also Sc. forms: rhubbarb (Fif. 1872 Mrs. G. Cupples Tappy's Chicks 150); rhubert; roob(e)rub (Mry. 1897 J. MacKinnon Braefoot Sk. 172; Cai., Arg. 1968); rewburd (Rxb. 1915 Jedburgh Gaz. (17 Sept.) 3, Cai., wm.Sc., Kcb. 1968). [`rub(ə)rʌb, ′rubərd]w.Lth. 2000 Davie Kerr A Puckle Poems 16:
Guid neebor Will, - his case at last
has Brickwork boss's blootert
an proves that reek,
thir fug an smeek,
can pizen aa wir rhubert.
Sc. usage in phr.: to gie somebody rhubarb, to beat someone soundly (Abd.15 1930: .Abd., Gsw., Wgt. 1968).
