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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ROB, n. Also Rab; and dims. Rob(b)ie, Rab(b)ie. See P.L.D. § 54. Sc. familiar forms and usages of the christian name Robert.

1. Combs.: (1) Rob-boy, a tomboy, hoyden (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.); (2) Robbie Burns, a name given to an old-fashioned type of plough having wooden stilts and beam and an iron body without a culter, phs. because it was presumed that this was the type used by Burns, as freq. represented in portraits of him (ne. and m.Sc. 1968); (3) Robbie-Cuddie, the wren, Troglodytes troglodytes (Sh. 1951 Sh. Folk-Book II. 31). See Robin, n., 2. and for cuddie see Cutty, adj., 1.; (4) Robbie-Darie, the wrasse, Labrus (Ags. 1968); (5) Robbie Dye, a rabid enthusiast for Hawick, esp. for the town's Rugby team, from the nickname of a local worthy who was such (Rxb. 1968); (6) Rob Gib(b), the name of a Master of Horse to King James V., who on being asked by the King why he served him, answered “for stark love and kindness”, an expression which became proverbial as a motto or toast. Also attrib. and in phrs. (i) Rob Gib's contract, disinterested love and loyalty, used ironically in 1706 quot.; ¶(ii) Rob Gibb helping, a generous serving; (7) Rab Ha', a glutton, a voracious eater, from a vagrant, Robert Hall, noted for his gastronomic feats, who died in Glasgow in 1843 (w. and sm.Sc. 1968); (8) Robbi-Redbreast, the wren, Troglodytes troglodytes (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). See Robin, n., 2.; (9) Robbie-rin(-out), diarrhoea (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 188, Sh. 1968); (10) Rab(b)ie-rin-the-hedge, -rinniehedge, the goose-grass, Galium aperine (Sc. 1899 Mont.-Fleming; Bnff., Slg., w., sm. and s.Sc. 1968). Also attrib. See Robin, 1. (6); (11) Rob Roy, the nickname (Gael. = “Red Rob”) of the celebrated Highland freebooter, Robert MacGregor of Glengyle (1671–1734), in various transf. usages: (i) a red and black checked pattern in cloth, esp. in comb. Rob Roy tartan, a name given to this pattern c.1818 (the date of Sir Walter Scott's novel) by tartan makers. Gen.Sc.; a garment of this check; (ii) a kind of Bath bun (Ags. 1968); (12) Robbie Scattan, a name given to the fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis (Mry. 1911), a reference to the bird's fondness for herring. See Scattan; (13) Rob's dog, the name of a game (see quot.); (14) Rob Sorby, also reduced form sorbie, a jocular name for various sharp-edged tools, as a scythe (ne.Sc., Per. 1968), a sickle (Inv., Abd. 1968), a saw (Abd., Kcd. 1968), from Robert Sorby, the name of a Sheffield edge-tool manufacturer; (15) Robbie-Stobbie, a name given to a nettle in a nursery riddle (see quot. and Stob) (Abd. 1968); (16) Robbie Wamberg, the fifteen-spined stickleback, Spinachia spinachia (Bnff. 1859 W. Yarrell Fishes II. 93), the second element being a corruption of Wan-beard, cf. Willie-wan-beard s.v. Willie.(5) Rxb. 1955 Bulletin (21 Dec.) 14:
If anyone had suggested a couple of months ago that Hawick could win the Border League, he would have been rated that special brand of Teri, a “Robbie Dye”.(6) (i) Sc. 1706 Short Survey Married Life 23:
The Goodwife was writing Rob Gib's Contract upon the Goodman's Cheek blade with the Tongs.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 283:
Rob. Gibbs's Contract, stark Love and Kindness. An Expression often used when we drink to our Friend.Sc. 1747 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) I. 81:
Mrs. MacDonald offered him a snuff out of a little silver-mill with two hands clasped together upon the lid of it, and the common motto, Rob Gib.Sc. 1901 J. B. Pratt Buchan 199, 202:
An epigraph, still legible on a stone on the front of the building [on Mormond Hill] is indicative of the “stark love and kindness” with which he was wont to entertain his brother-sportsmen in this moorland mansion — “In this Hunters Lodge Rob Gibb commands, MDCCLXXIX”. . . . The Aberdonians adopted the quaint words Rob Gibb, as the concluding toast of the day, by which they meant, “Loyal and true”, as much as to say “We Jacobites are loyal and true, not for the sake of reward, but simply from affection and duty”.Sc. 1927 A. M. Bisset Episodes W. Lth. Hist. 92:
The happy phrase, “Stark love and kindness”, passed into the “wise saws” of Scottish lore, and became known as “Rob Gib's contract”.(ii) Abd. 1913 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (11 Oct.):
That's a Rob Gibb helping.(7) Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 190:
No' to be a perfect Rab Ha', but to eat composedly.Per. 1990 Betsy Whyte Red Rowans and Wild Honey (1991) 52:
'Are you going to rise, Rab Ha'? That's wha you're like - the Glesga Glutton, him that ate the hundred-weight o' tripe. Dinnae think that you are gaen tae lie there aa day after making sure that nobody else got babbin' an eye!' Jean was really in a rage. Ags. 1993:
Rab Ha the Glesga glutton, got the jyle for eatin mutton.(10) Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 33:
The two cups of Rabbierinniehedge tea which she made me drink to a scone.(11) (i) Dmf. 1831 Carlyle Letters (Bliss 1953) 75:
Clothes, Cloaks, Rob-roys.Gsw. 1904 H. Foulis Erchie xxvi.:
Rab Roy tartan tops to his gowfin' stockings.Sc. 1950 H. F. MacClintock Old Ir. and Highl. Dress 66:
The simple red and black tartan — now designated “Rob Roy” — seems to have been a most popular pattern, especially for use with the trews [a.1745].Abd. 1955 Trans. Bch. Club XVII. iv. 63:
A Rob Roy scarf round their neck.(ii) Ags. 1899 Arbroath Guide (21 Oct.) 3:
Butteries, Rob Roys an' turnovers.(13) Gall. 1822 Scots Mag. (March) 375:
It was suggested by Rob Ranken, the herd, and seconded by myself, that we should exchange this stupid game for “Rob's Dog”. In playing this game, every individual is favoured, or rather accomodates himself with a name, comprehending as many syllables, and of as difficult utterance as possible; in order that he may have time to say “No me”, whilst the speaker who names and accuses him of theft, etc. is articulating his designation. . . . I endevoured to protect myself under the portentous appellation “Jump in the gutter-dub!” . . . It being agreed that Rob Ranken, the originator of this amusement, should begin, he proceeded forthwith to perform his part, in the following preambulatory profession and accusation — “I never stealt Rob's dog, Nor do I intend to do; But well I ken wha stealt him, And stealt him in a cleugh — And picked his banes — Bare-bare eneugh”. — “Wha, but! wha but! — (here a pause ensues, and all ears and eyes are open,) wha but!” — “Jump in the gutter-dub”. Being off my guard . . . my “No me” was pronounced all too late.(14) Abd. 1899 Private MSS. per Abd.²⁷:
But sorbie blades swung round wi' virr, Slashed doun the crap o' Drachlaw.Abd. 1966 Huntly Express (26 Aug.) 7:
The binder'll nae be muckle eese there, lads. There's naething for't but Rob Sorby.Abd. 1991 David Toulmin Collected Short Stories 85:
Our Scots name for a scythe, after the maker, Robert Sorby, or some such thing.(15) ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 80:
Robbie-Stobbie on this side o' the dyke, Robbie-Stobbie on that side o' the dyke, An gehn ye touch Robbie-Stobbie, Robbie-Stobbie 'ill bite ye? A nettle.

2. A player in the Kirkintilloch Rob Roy football team (wm.Sc. 1968).Sc. 1952 Sporting Post (4 Oct.) 1:
And the Rabs have won but one of their 15 matches so far.

3. A plant which has run to seed (Cai.⁸ 1934, Robbie).