Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BUBBA, n. Cf. Bobbie. [′bʌbə]

1. “Grandfather” (Rs.¹ c.1911). Used in Crm. fisher dial.Crm. 1922–1928 Crm. Dials. and Folk-Lore in Rymour Club Misc. III. 79:
“'A polled thee?” [Who cut your hair?] “Bubba.”

2. Extended to mean the devil.Crm. 1933 D. A. Mackenzie in Letter (7 July):
A Cromarty saying was “He's as prood as Bubba” — as proud as the devil.