1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, vi. At Chichester we opened up opposite the George Hotel, and I nobbed half a sovereign from a young visitor, besides a lot of small money.
Nob in the fur trade, subs. phr. (old).—A judge.
c.1838. Reynolds, Pickwick Abroad, 'The Housebreaker's Song.' Let nobs in the fur trade hold their jaw.
To nob it, verb. phr. (old).—See quot.
1819. Vaux, Memoirs, s.v. Nob it. To act with such prudence and knowledge of the world, as to prosper and become independent without any labour or bodily exertion; this is termed nobbing it, or fighting nob work. To effect any purpose or obtain anything by means of good judgment and sagacity, is called nobbing it for such a thing.
1823. Grose, Vulg. Tongue [Egan], s.v.
One for his nob, subs. phr. (pugilists').—1. A blow on the head.
2. (gamesters').—A point in cribbage for holding the knave of trumps. Cf. Two for his heels.
1888. Notes and Queries, 7th S. v., 28th April, 340. The old name of cribbage was 'noddy.' 'Noddy,' being the name for the knave, has been contracted into nob. As nob = head, the antagonism of 'heels' is obvious.
To Pitch the Nob. See Prick-the-garter.
Nob-a-nob.—See Hob-nob (q.v.).
Probably a corruption.
1834. Ainsworth, Rookwood (ed. 1864), 192. We must have a nob-a-nob glass together, for old acquaintance sake.
Nobba, adj. (common).—Nine
[Italian, Nove; Spanish, Nova;
the b and v being interchangeable,
as in sabe and savvey].
Nobber, subs. (pugilists').—See
Nob, sense 1.
1819. Moore, Tom Crib, 40. For, though, all know, that flashy spark From C—st—r—gh received a nobber.
2. (showmen's).—See quots.
1890. Echo, 30 Oct. Nobber is beach slang for financial agent, and indicates the gentleman who goes round with the plate or box. Great care is always bestowed upon the selection of the nobber. He is really the most important member of the troupe, and must be an artist of the first water if he is to get any money. . . . Only a nobber can know the extraordinary meanness of the British public, the reluctant way in which it doles out its coppers, and its refusal to donate silver on any terms.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, vi. I have often met honourable nobbers since like the poller, that poor honest artiste, who was far too honourable to allow any slur to be cast upon his character.
Nobbily, adj. (common).—Showily;
smartly: cf. nobby.
Nobbing, subs. (pugilists').—1. The
administration of blows on the
head.
1825. Jones, True Bottomed Boxer [Farmer, Musa Pedestris (1896), 92]. With flipping and milling, and fobbing and nobbing.
2. in pl. (showmen's).—Money collected: see Nobber.
1851-61. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii. 118. After him I began my performance, and he went round for the nobbings.
Nobbing-cheat, subs. (old).—See
nubbing-cheat.
Nobbing-slum, subs. phr. (showmen's).—The
bag for collecting
money: see Nobber, sense 2.
Nobble, verb. (pugilists').—1. To
strike on the head; to stun.
2. (racing).—See quot. 1882; to get at (q.v.).
