Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SNAB, n.¹, v. Also in Eng. form snob. [snɑb]

I. n. A cobbler, a cobbler's boy or apprentice (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 266; em.Sc. (a), Gsw., Rxb. 1970). Dim. snabby, id. (Wilson). Colloq. or dial. in Eng.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 132:
To flame as an author our snab was sae bent.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xii.:
Tammy Bowsie the snab, and auld Thrashem the dominie.Gsw. 1860 J. Young Poorhouse Lays 50:
An' ye please, I'se be a snab.Ags. 1872 Arbroath Guide (26 Oct.) 3:
The snabs and weavers out of Arbroath.Slg. 1896 W. Harvey Kennethcrook 38:
He had entered the craft in the usual way by being what the villagers called a “snab.”Sc. 1935 D. Rorie Lum Hat 61:
When ye connach'd gude leather For 'ears as a snab.Edb. 1965 J. K. Annand Sing it Aince 32:
Watch the auld snab Lift a pickle nails.

‡II. v. Only in vbl.n. snabbin, snobbin, shoemaking, cobbling, the mending of shoes (Fif., Edb. 1970).Mry. 1865 W. H. Tester Poems 113:
A dealer in hides, wha does a little snobbin.Abd. 1933 J. H. Smythe Blethers 29:
Fan Sautan dwalled on Bennachie, An' plied the snobbin' for a trade.