Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1854-1930
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ROB, v. Also Sc. form rub (Ags. 1840 G. Webster Ingliston xxxv.; Uls. 1879 W. G. Lyttle Readings by Robin 12; Fif. 1895 S. Tytler Kincaid's Widow xii.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein). Hence rubber, robber (Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 379, Rxb. 1868 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 13, Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 82, Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 262), and in phr. robbers and rangers, rubbers and reengers, a boys' game, a variety of hide-and-seek (Ags. 1968); rubbery (Sc. 1817 Scott Rob Roy xiv.). [rob; m.Sc. + rʌb]Gsw. 1854 Glasgow Past and Present (1884) II. 191:
Such were the games of — “Wully, Wully, Wastle, I'm upon your Castle”, “Robbers and Rangers”.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 75:
The callans are playing at “Smuggling the keg”, “Rubbers and Reengers”.Ayr. 1930:
Robbers and rangers. Two sides are formed, one of Robbers and the other of Rangers. The Robbers hide and are sought out by the Rangers. All Robbers caught are placed in a chalked square, guarded by a Ranger. If a free Robber can rescue one of his comrades without being touched by the Ranger guard, all go free. All Robbers have to be caught before sides change.
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"Rob v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rob_v>
