What measure is a 'Nobbler'

Subject: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 07:32 AM

Copied from the help forum:

Subject: Nobbler
From: [e-mail]
Date: 08-Jan-03 - 06:42 AM

Hello. I have been puzzled for years. just what measure of spirits was a "Nobbler"? I have looked everywhere in vain. Hope you can tell me. Cheers, Bob in Melbourne.

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: MMario
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 11:24 AM

I found one web page that equated a nobbler with a skelp - a skelp was (roughly) a pint of whisky.

other sources indicate that a nobbler is a double-shot.

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 11:49 AM

"Skelp" is a Scottish term meaning to slap or hit:

as in; "ah'll gie ye a skelpit heid if ye dinnae pass us the ginger".

(ginger is pronounced junjurrr)

Translated-

"If the soft drink you are coveting is not made available to me this instant, i will be obliged to apply kinetic energy via my fist to your head".

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: MMario
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 11:51 AM

AND it was approximately a pint of whisky. words frequently have more then one meaning.

a "pony" is an equine, but also happens to be (in the US at least) a two ounce measure of liquour. it's also a verb.

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 11:59 AM

AND "a pony" is English slang for 50 pounds.

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 12:30 PM

Fifty pounds weight or fifty pounds money?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: IanC
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 12:34 PM

money

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 01:24 PM

The OED defines a nobbler as a small glass or container for liquor (no amount specified). In print, this usage has been found back to 1852.
Also defined as a groom, or nobbler of horses, usage found back to 1854. Also a stick used to knock someone in the head (1880s). Also a stick used to kill fish- originally nobby.
To steal (used by Thackeray)- back to the 1850s. To obtain by dishonest means- 1850s.
To swindle, to bribe to get hold of, to seize---and on and on.

In the 18th century (or before), a nob was slang for the head. A nob thatcher was a wig maker, also called a nobbler (In various dictionaries of cant and slang, but not in the OED).

In other words, take your pick of meanings or invent your own.

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 01:39 PM

Well in our house the nobbler was always the crusty end of a loaf!

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: breezy
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 02:28 PM

'ave you been nobbled then?

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 02:57 PM

Not recently, but I live in hope!!
Giok

Subject: RE: What measure is a 'Nobbler'
From: Cluin
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 02:59 PM

I thought it was a contracted form of knob-gobbler. One of Tolkien's monsters that the characters strangely didn't mind running into in the dark places. (Tolkien left those parts out of his books).