Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1790, 1864-1920
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GIBBLE, n. Also gibbal (Ayr. 1934 G. M. Martin Dundee Worthies 120). A tool, an implement (n. and s.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Mostly in pl. = tools, working paraphernalia (Bnff., Abd., Ags., Per., e.Fif., Knr. 1954); articles, wares, odds and ends (Abd., Ags. 1954); garden tools (Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 244; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein). [′gɪb(ə)lz]Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 13:
Then on the morn ilk chapman loon Rears up his market shop, An' a' his gibbles louses doon.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxv.:
We aye thocht it a grand ploy . . . i' the hairst time to get a day's shearin'. . . . So afore gaun to bed that night I instruckit Andro to hae a' the necessary gibbles prepared for us by neist mornin'.Abd. 1885 J. Scorgie Flittin' Noo 22:
Took out my keys, my kist unlockit, Gat ilka gibble; This day I've clappit doon an' yokit 'Bout Burns to scribble.Per. 1912 Scotsman (26 Jan.):
The other day my gardener said — "I'll leave my gibbles here," meaning his spade and rake.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables xxix.:
No a professor . . . could use the bit gibbles ony better than themsel's.Sc. 1920 D. Rorie Auld Doctor 26:
Though my gibbles were a' for the human frame An' his for kettle an' pan.
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"Gibble n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gibble>
