Origin of the word "slubby"

[mizanation]

Slubby is a term used in the textile industry. It's been there a long time.

I have a feeling that it comes from "Schlubby" which is Yiddish for being clumsy, stupid, imperfect, etc... A "schlub" is someone with these characteristics.

Or it could come from the word "Slobby" which is derived from Irish Gaelic. It means something similar to "Schlubby"--sovenly, crude, obnoxious, etc... A "slob" is someone with these characteristics.

Because of the long Jewish tradition in textiles, I'm leaning toward the "Schlub" theory.

Not a big deal, but something interesting for the etymologists out there.

[mizanation]

there is also the word, "slubber" which means "to daub, smear," probably from Dutch or Low German origin. a "slubberdegullion" is a "a slobbering or dirty fellow, a worthless sloven."

[denimdestroyedmylife]

WHOA! i think you are on to something, Miz!

Schlub may be a corruption of the word Schlemeil: Yiddish - A fool; clumsy inept person; i dunno, as i am not among the chosen.

FROM the interwebs:

TRANSITIVE VERB:Inflected forms: slubbed, slub·bing, slubs

To draw out and twist (a strand of silk or other textile fiber) in preparation for spinning. NOUN:1. A soft thick nub in yarn that is either an imperfection or purposely set for a desired effect. 2. A slightly twisted roll of fiber, as of silk or cotton. ETYMOLOGY:Origin unknown.

It's first recorded use was in 1834.

[greentea]

in the bay area there is a slang word "slumper" meaning "great! awesome"

"Man that party was a slumper!"

"that song is a slumper!"

[mizanation]

i am not one of the chosen either, but i have a lot of friends who are. :-)

"schlub" actually comes from a polish word meaning the same thing.

Schlub may be a corruption of the word

Schlemeil: Yiddish - A fool; clumsy inept person; dunno, not among the chosen.

i like your take, but i think slubbing was just part of the yarn spinning process...

FROM the interwebs:

TRANSITIVE VERB:Inflected forms: slubbed, slub·bing, slubs

To draw out and twist (a strand of silk or other textile fiber) in preparation for spinning. NOUN:1. A soft thick nub in yarn that is either an imperfection or purposely set for a desired effect. 2. A slightly twisted roll of fiber, as of silk or cotton. ETYMOLOGY:Origin unknown.

It's first recorded use was in 1834.

WHOA! i think you are on to something, Miz------check it:

slubber

v.t. stain, sully; do carelessly. slubberdegullion, n. archaic, slovenly person.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

so the question is does it derive from the archaic dutch or the yiddish; my bet is on the chosen people...

[poly800rock]

bubbly? i think

[mizanation]

so the question is does it derive from the archaic dutch or the yiddish; my bet is on the chosen people...

well, the choices are:

1) Polish Yiddish - "Schlub"

2) Dutch/Germanic - "Slubber"

3) Gaelic Irish - "Slob"

my money is on #1.

[almondcrush]

hebrouhaha

[beefcake]

in the bay area there is a slang word "slumper" meaning "great! awesome"

"Man that party was a slumper!"

It was a slumperparty?

...sorry

[mizanation]

well, the choices are:

1) Polish Yiddish - "Schlub"

2) Dutch/Germanic - "Slubber"

3) Gaelic Irish - "Slob"

my money is on #1.

or should i say, "my gelt is on number 1." oy vey, i just couldn't resist.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

TIP, if you are out there somewhere watching, please add this to denim term links...

[tweeds]

watched and noted! late but better than none.

[Tisswat]

There's no 'slubber' in Dutch.

[mizanation]

could be old german. either way, i don't think the word is used to much anymore.

[asfberg]

well, the choices are:

1) Polish Yiddish - "Schlub"

2) Dutch/Germanic - "Slubber"

3) Gaelic Irish - "Slob"

my money is on #1.

#1 and #2 most likely have a common origin

look a little farther back and i wouldn't be surprised if #3 fell in line

[mizanation]

yeah, i was talking to friend who's into etymology and he said the same thing.

[asfberg]

he likes bugs too?

[mizanation]

nope, just an etymologist, not an entymologist... ;-)

[asfberg]

gotta take advantage of any opportunity to make that joke

[mizanation]

and those opportunities don't come all that often, i'm sure. hehe.