Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TUB, n. Also ? misprint tup (Per. 1737 Ochtertyre Ho. Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 251). Sc. usages:
1. As in n. Eng. mining usage: a hutch or small truck into which the cut coal is filled (Fif. 1973); a measure of coal of varying capacity (see quots 1845 and 1953). Also fig. in phrs. tub o' great, -sma, see 1935 quot.e.Lth. 1842 P. McNeil Tranent (1883) 30:
My task is four to five tubs; each tub holds 41½cwt.m.Lth. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 I. 56:
The price varies at the several collieries from 1s. 3d. to 1s. 10d. per tub of four cwt.Lnk. 1928 H. Lauder Roamin' in the Gloamin 50:
I helped the pony-drivers with their “tubs” over bad bits of road.Fif.10 1935:
When a child has been born in a Fife collier's house it is, if a boy, referred to colloquially as “a tub o' great” — i.e. of large sized coal — and, if a girl, as “a tub o' sma'.”Uls.
1953
Traynor:
Sixteen tubs to the ton.
†2. See quot.Ork. 1757 Session Papers, Galloway v. Morton (12 Nov.) 237, 242:
The Rents payable to the Heritors in South-ronaldsay, is delivered in a Measure called A Tub; and that, till of late, they commonly bought and sold by this Measure. . . . The Tubs then held twenty nine Pints of Water.
