Scutlling nobs

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 08:51 AM

"is" is not the point. "nob" WAS "the head" in slang from around 1690, according to Partridge. The "person of rank" usage is later - early 19C. All according to Partridge's Historical Slang, which is the basic reference.

Regards

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: IanC
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 08:08 AM

Knob with a K is head. Nob without a k is a posh person. Not the same.

:-)

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 07:00 AM

The phrase also turns up in a song "The Unfortunate Tailor", sung on John Peel's programme once by guest Martin Carthy. I'm not sure that he ever recorded it, but if he did, I'm sure someone here will know.
I'd always assumed it meant something like "I'll bang your head".

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:58 AM

He also specifically gives "to scuttle a nob" as "to break a head" as boxing slang.

Regards

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:54 AM

And Partridge gives "daddle" as the hand/fist.

Regards

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:44 AM

There's a lot of traditional cant in Cribbage. I once wrote an entire one of my Folk Review "Taking the Mike" columns on it.

~M~

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:40 AM

"Nob" = head (NB - no initial 'k')

appears also in the Cribbage score system ~~ anyone who gets the knave of the same suit of the turn-up card scores "One for his nob", while a player who gets a knave of any suit as the turn-up card when he has the box (or crib) scores "two for his heels".

"Nob" is, of course, not to be confused with identically pronounced "knob".

~M~

Subject: RE: Scutlling nobs
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:31 AM

GuestRoger

There are several Mudcat threads on "The Night Before Larry..." over the years, with some general background and explanation. The song is written, as you probably know, in "Newgate cant" a kind of late 18C. jail slang.

That phrase is usually written "I'll scuttle your knob" with the sense of "I'll knock holes in your head!". I can't recall what dodle/doddle means offhand. I'll check.

Regards

Subject: Scuttling nobs
From: GUEST,Guest Roger
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 05:34 AM

At a sing around amusement was caused during the song Go and Enlist for a Sailor by the phrase 'I'll scuttle your nob'. It also appears in Elvis Costello's 'the Night Before Larry Got Stretched' with the phrase 'I'll scuttle your nob with my dodle'.

I assume it is to do with hanging or garotting but can anyone clarify please?

Thanks

Roger Kennington