Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1877-1899
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BAB, n.3 1. A bob, a limp. Cf. Bab, v. and P.L.D. §54.w.Lth. 1889 F. Barnard Chirps 151:
Ye hae hobbled wi' an unco bab.
2. A dance, a hop. Cf. Bab, v., 2. (1), Bob, n.2 The phr. in quot. is an allusive variation of Bab-at-the-bowster.Ayr. a.1878 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage (1892) 175:
Then hey for a bab at the babby, The tousting, the boosing, an' a'
3. = Eng. bob, a method of changing the notes in bell-ringing. Hence to change bab, used fig. like Eng. “to ring the changes”, to start something new.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 373:
It's no when suns but glint and glimmer The gowk sits still—it changes bab.
