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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BUBBA, n. Cf. Bobbie. [′bʌbə]

1. “Grandfather” (Rs.1 c.1911). Used in Crm. fisher dial.Crm. 1922–1928 Crm. Dials. and Folk-Lore in Rymour Club Misc. III. 79:
“'A polled thee?” [Who cut your hair?] “Bubba.”

2. Extended to mean the devil.Crm. 1933 D. A. Mackenzie in Letter (7 July):
A Cromarty saying was “He's as prood as Bubba” — as proud as the devil.

[Cf. Ger. bube, boy, rogue, knave, and St.Eng. “old boy.” Kluge gives O. Slovenian baba for grandmother.]

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"Bubba n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bubba>

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