Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1881
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†HOBBITY-BOBBITY, n.comb. The nettle, Urtica dioica. Found only in the riddle in quot.ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 80:
“Hobbity-bobbity sits on this side o' the burn, Hobbity-bobbity sits on that side o' the burn An gehn ye touch hobbity-bobbity, Hobbity-bobbity 'ill bite you?”
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"Hobbity-bobbity n. comb.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hobbitybobbity>
