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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

POB, n., v. Also pobe; pab (Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Proverbs Gl.). [pob, †pɑb]

I. n. The waste material left over after flax has been scutched, the refuse of flax (Abd. 1748 Abd. Estate (S.C.) 143; n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Fif. 1930); later applied also to the refuse of jute (Ags. 1875–1920), or to other fibrous or dusty waste material (see 1842 quot.); “rope or twine teased into fibres” (Abd.⁷ 1925; Bnff. 1966); also fig., in 1812 quot. Also pob-tow, id. Combs. pob-baillie, a civic official responsible for supervising the safety of dressed flax from fire, etc.; pob-midden, a pile or dump of flax refuse (Per. 1850).Sc. 1747 R. Maxwell Bee-Master 21:
The Refuse of Flax, commonly called Pob-tow.Sc. 1765 Museum Rust. IV. 46:
If the flax is to be stacked, it should be set in an airy place, upon a dry foundation, such as pob-middings or the like.Lth. 1795 J. Bonner Bee-hives 97:
The whole hive should then be covered all over with a large quantity of pob tow.Fif. 1803 Trans. Highl. Soc. 10:
At an old lint mill in Fife, a great heap of this refuse, or pab tow, as it is called, had been formed about 60 years ago.Ags. 1810 Arbroath T.C. Min. MSS. (15 Nov.):
It shall be intimated to the public that if any vents are in future discovered to be on fire, the persons to whom they belong shall be severely fined, and they recommend to the Pob Bailies to be active in discovering offenders.Fif. 1812 W. Ranken Poems 117:
She's working now as weel's she dow, To clean her rhymes o' pob an' tow.e.Sc. 1842 Children in Trades Report ii. k 6:
Many of the men and women are much troubled with short tickling coughs, which are caught in the . . . rag-picking department of the employ [paper-making] from the inhalation . . . of the fine dust and pob.Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 92:
A baggie fu' o' lint an' pob To wrap the sairs was in the aumrie.Per. 1872 Per. Constit. Jnl. (1 April):
It flew up the lum just like a flichan o' pob.Abd. 1899 Bk. of Methlick (1939) 49:
Sacks were made of the rougher fibres, and the pob or refuse . . . was used to make ropes.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick vii.:
He took oot a fine lang rosetty stickie wuppit roon wi pob.

II. v. To clean flax of its waste or pob, to scutch flax.Abd. 1750 Abd. Estate (S.C.) 169:
11 men and 2 boys all day rolling, drawing and pobbing, cleaning, scutching.