|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
In another thread, Jackie referred to Ullrich as "bub." What could she mean by that?
Might it be a shortened familiar form of Beelzebub?
A derivative of the Yiddish bube -- meaning sweetie, darling.
A shortening of the Southern American bubba -- meaning a good old boy.
A use of the 19th Century British bub for a male pal.
... or something else?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
'Der Bub' is the word for boy for millions in Austria, Switzerland and Southern Germany. Losing popularity though to the standard 'Junge' amongst younger generations. http://makeashorterlink.com/?H2D222EBB
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
A shortening of the Southern American bubba -- meaning a good old boy.
AHD says "probably an alteration of brother." It goes on to say that "bubba" is "an alteration of bub." Times I've heard it used it's in phrases, like Jackie's, that are a little admonishing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
If Jackie was being a lot admonishing, she might have said "Buster".
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Bub is short for bubba, as someone noted above. Buyt you also need to know that bubba arises (apparently) from brother. A southernism, certainly, and is actually a given name at times!
Reminds me of the newly-minted teacher at the one-room elementary school who was taking roll on her first day. "And what's your name, little girl?" she asked.
"Bitchy McCoy," responded the little girl.
"That may be your nickname, dear, but what is your real name?" The little girl insisted repeatedly that her name was Bitchy.
The teacher finally exploded. "I will not have any nasty nicknames used in MY classroom," she shouted. "I want you to go home until you learn respect."
The little girl turned to the little boy beside her. "C'mon, Rat-face, let's go home, she ain't gonna believe you neither."
TEd
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
Bub though, isn't just a southern expression..
Bubba (as term for a guy) is rarely heard in NY (and almost never by NYer's) but BUB is..
a cop might day "Get a move on it, bub" to someone loitering.
(bubba is term for a grandmother, or for grandmother. )
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
The Yiddish is literally "little grandmother" but the use broadened over time to include males.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427 |
I'll admit that I love that admonishing use of "Buster", you know... "Watch it, Buster!"... gotta love it  But where did it come from? Anyone know? Should I LIU?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
Yiddish באבע (bobe) 'grandmother; old woman; midwife' is no doubt related to Russian баба (baba) which accented on the penultimate means 'old woman' and accented on the ultimate means 'grandfather; old man'. (We have a loanword, babushka (fr. Russian бабушка) 'old lady's head-scarf' which is related.) In the mix, may be German Bube 'boy, male child', which may be related to English boy and baby.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,333
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
743
guests, and
1
robot. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
