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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TOBY, n. Also tobie, tobby. A stop-cock or valve in a water- or gas-main, gen. in a roadway at which the supply may be turned off, also applied to the covering, lid or box protecting it (Lth. 1941 Scotsman (10 Feb.) 7; Sc. 1952 Builder (20 June) 943). Gen.Sc.; jocularly, the penis (Abd., Ags. 1972). [′tobi]Abd. 1896 Abd. Tramway Specifications:
It is contemplated that the Town Council are to remove and relay gas and water tobies &c., manholes of sewers, and other works on the route of the proposed Tramway.
Edb. 1964 J. T. R. Ritchie Singing Street 74:
“Suckers” are often used by small boys on the pavement for raising the gas or water “tobies.”

[Poss. short for toby-cock or -valve, from slang toby, the street or highway, thought to be of Irish Shelta orig., tobar, id.]

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"Toby n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 25 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/toby>

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