Obs. exc. Hist. or dial. Also 8–9 swobber. [perh. the same word as prec. Cf. SWAB sb.2] Chiefly pl. Certain cards at the game of whist (see first quot.), which entitled the holder to part of the stakes. Whist and swabbers: a form of the game in which these cards were so used.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Swabbers, the Ace of Hearts, Knave of Clubs, Ace and Duce of Trumps.
1704. T. Baker, Act at Oxf., III. ii. 33. We’ll sit down to Ombre, Picquet, Wisk, and Swabbers.
1728. Swift, Intelligencer, No. 5, ¶ 7. His Grace said, he had heard that the Clergy-Man used to play at Whisk and Swobbers; that as to playing now and then a sober Game at Whisk for Pastime, it might be pardoned, but he could not digest those wicked Swobbers.
1772. Test Filial Duty, I. 64. Her thirty thousand pounds would more than discharge all the Knight’s play debts, though he should never have a swabber in his hand again.
1812. Francis Lett. (1901), II. 670. Last night I had the honour to play at french crowns and swobbers with the following Ladies of quality.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xiv. The society of half a dozen of clowns to play at whisk and swabbers.
1880, 1890. [see SWAB sb.2].
