[Several words, f. BOB v. in various senses.]
† 1. Mocking, flouting, satirical. Obs.
1605. Camden, Rem., 22. With these bobbing rimes.
† 2. Striking. Obs.
1567. Studley, Seneca’s Hippolytus (1581), 65. Dash out on mee thy bobbing bolt.
3. That bobs up and down or from side to side; dancing: curtsying.
1681. Dryden, Span. Friar, I. (J.).
| I’m rich in jewels, rings, and bobbing pearls, | |
| Pluck’d from Moors’ ears. |
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 72. Bobbing rabbits, wild and shy.
1868. Gd. Words, July, 445. He took off his hat to bobbing apple-women.
b. Bobbing Joan: an old dance-tune. Bobbing John: a nickname of the Earl of Mar in 1715, referring to his behavior to successive dynasties.
1756. Hop Garland (N.). Strike up Bobbing Joan, Or I’ll break your fiddle.
1840. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Nell Cook. Moral, Don’t let your Niece sing ‘Bobbing Joan’!
