Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1725, 1795, 1847-1880, 1933-1952
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NUB, n. Also knub-. [nʌb]
1. A knob, as on the end of a walking-stick; "a round wooden handle" (Cld. 1880 Jam.). Combs. and Derivs.: (1) (k)nub-berry, the cloud-berry, Rubus chamaemorus (Slk., Dmf. 1808 Jam.; Dmf. 1886 B. & H. 292, knub-; Slk. 1964). Cf. nup-berry s.v. Noop; (2) nubbie, (i) a walking-stick with a hooked head (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1964). Cf. Nibbie. Hence nubbie-end, the thick or knobbed end, as of a cudgel (Watson); (ii) fig. "an unsocial person, worldly, yet lazy" (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 366); (iii) adj., of a person; short, plump, dumpy; (3) nublikin, a bump or slight obstruction on a flat surface.(1) Dmf. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XIII. 243:
A small berry, commonly called the Nub Berry. It bears some resemblance to the bramble berry, and is pleasant enough to the taste.s.Sc. 1933 Border Mag. (Nov.) 172:
An' mony a dub we strode across; Owre heather an' nub-berrie leaves.Peb. 1952 Scotsman (6 Sept.):
I helped . . . to gather these berries on a hilltop near the two thousand foot level within thirty miles of Edinburgh. . . . The farmer, a knowledgeable botanist, identified them as Rubus Chamaemorus, and gave us their Scottish name as Nubberries.(2) (iii) Cld. 1880 Jam.:
He's a wee nubbie, lauchin wean.(3) Sc. 1847 Royal Caled. Curling Club Annual 143:
The Rink, it will be observed, was for once the full standard — forty-two — free from every bias, clear of every obstruction; no waterspringing, snow-falling, no sow-backing, no bunkers, no nublikins.
2. A club-foot; a nickname for a clubfooted person. Dim. nubie. Hence nubby, clubbed (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1964). Comb.: nub(bie-, -y-)-fit(tit), clubfoot(ed) (Watson).Rxb. 1725 J. Tait Border Church Life (1889) 45:
A band of determined men, headed by one called "Nub of Bowmont," because he had a club foot.Rxb. 1848 R. Davidson Leaves 111, 223:
So soon as Nubie's rhyme was done. . . . The hero styled Nub, who figures so valiantly, was so called from having a nub or club foot.
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"Nub n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nub>
