Hubble-bubble, subs. (colloquial).—1. See quots.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th Ed.). Hubble-Bubble (s.) a confused
noise made by a talkative person, who speaks so quick, that it is
difficult to understand what he says or means.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Hubble-bubble. Confusion. A hubble
bubble fellow, a man of confused ideas, or one thick of speech,
whose words sound like water bubbling out of a bottle.
2. (common).—A hookah; a pipe by which the smoke is passed through
water.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Hubble-bubble.... Also an
instrument used for smoaking through water in the East Indies,
called likewise a caloon and hooker.
1868. Ouida, Under Two Flags, ch. xxii. The Moor, warmly grateful,
was ever ready to give him a cup of coffee and a hubble-bubble in
the stillness of his dwelling.
1887. Field, 15 Oct. Off I went down the ravine, and half a mile
below came to Besan quietly smoking his hubble-bubble.
1891. W. C. Russell, Ocean Tragedy, p. 130. A burning atmosphere
sickly with the smell of the incense of the hubble-bubble, with a
flavour of hot curry about.
Hubble-de-shuff, adv. (old).—Confusedly.—Lex. Bal.
Hubbub, subs. (old: now recognised).—See quots.
d. 1639. Robert Carey (Earl of Monmouth), Memoirs, 1759, p. 155.
This made a great hub-bub in our Court.
1667. Milton, Paradise Lost, ii., 951. A universal hubbub wild, Of
stunning sounds.
1682. Bunyan, Holy War (1893 ed. M. Peacock, p. 58). The conscience
and understanding begin to receive conviction, and they set the
soul in a hubbub.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hubbub, a Noise in the Streets
made by the Rabble.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hubbub, a noise, riot, or
disturbance.
1893. Westminster Gaz., 8 Aug., p. 2, col. 1. An indescribable
hubbub of showmen’s, hawkers’, and children’s voices from near and
far.
Hubby (or Hub), subs. (colloquial).—A husband.
1798. Morton, Secrets Worth Knowing. Epilogue. The wife poor thing,
at first so blithe and chubby, Scarce knows again her lover in her
hubby.
1807. Stevens, Wks., p. 175. What could hubby do then, what could
hubby do? But sympathy-struck, as she cry’d, he cry’d too.
1811. Poole, Hamlet Travestied, ii., 3. Now, madam, this once was
your hubby.
1883. Referee, 17 Apr., p. 3, c. 2. I did hear it whispered that
her parents and guardians, or her horrified hubby, had turned the
key on her.
Huck, verb. (old).—To chaffer; to bargain.
1577. Holinshead, Description of England, ed. 1807, i., 315. It was
his custome likewise to saie, if anie man hucked hard with him
about the price of a gelding: ‘So God helpe me ... either he did
cost me so much,’ or else, ‘By Jesus I stole him.’
Huckleberry. Above one’s huckleberry (bend, or hook), adv. phr.
(American).—Beyond one’s ability; out of one’s reach. See Bend.
1848. J. F. Cooper, The Oak Openings. It would be above my bend to
attempt telling you all we saw among the red skins.
1852. ‘L’Allegro,’ As Good as a Comedy, p. 61. Well, Squire Barry,
you’re a huckleberry above my persimmon, but I reckon something can
be done.
Huckle-my-butt, subs. (old).—Beer, egg, and brandy made hot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1834. Ainsworth, Rookwood, iii., 5. ‘If that’s a bowl of
huckle-my-butt you are brewing, Sir William,’ added he, addressing
the knight of Malta, ‘you may send me a jorum at your convenience.’
Huckster, subs. (old: now recognised).—1. A retailer of small goods; a
pedlar.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Huckster, the Retailers of the
Market, who Sell in the Market at second Hand.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hucksters, itinerant retailers of
provisions.