Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RIBBLE-RABBLE, adv., n., v. Also ribble-rabbill; reeble-rabble (Gregor), deriv. ribblierabblie.

I. adv. In a state of great confusion (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 141, 144; Sc. 1911 S.D.D., ribblie-rabblie; w.Lth., Slk. 1968). Obs. in Eng.

II. n. A motley and disorderly crowd; a state of great confusion (Gregor; Ags. 1968). Reduced form ribblie, a rabble. Obs. exc. dial. in Eng. Sc. 1771 Smollett Humphrey Clinker Jenkins to Jones (18 July):
A mischievous mob of colliers, and such promiscous ribble rabble.Gall. 1796 J. Lauderdale Poems 96:
Away with your ribblie, clubs and conventions, Your hand-bills, and libels, for sowing dissentions.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 105:
A gabble O' tongues and raps upo' the tabill, Frae that wine-flister't ribble-rabbill.

Also adj. ribblie-rabblie, disordered, confused. Ayr. 1819 Kilmarnock Mirror 17:
What's the use o' a wheen ribblie-rabblie baggage o' glees, compos't by crotchet-headit music-doctors?

III. v. To crowd in great confusion (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 145). Vbl.n. reeble-rabblan, a state of great confusion (Ib. 141).