Definition of gob

The origin of the word "gob" can be traced back to the Old English language, where it was spelled as "gāb" and meant "gift" or "present." However, over time, the meaning of the word evolved and changed. In Middle English, around the 14th century, the term "gobbe" appeared, which meant "something eaten as food." This usage of the word can still be seen in modern English through its usage in the phrase "gobble" (to eat quickly and greedily). In the 15th century, the meaning of the word "gob" shifted again, this time becoming associated with scrofula (a type of skin disease). The exact reason for this connection is not entirely clear, but it may have arisen as a result of the superstition that the disease was caused by a "gob" or lump in the throat of the afflicted person. Another explanation for the connection between "gob" and scrofula suggests that the term "gob" may have originated as a reference to the enlarged lymph nodes associated with the disease, which were often mistaken for tumors or growths. Today, the usage of "gob" as a term for scrofula is largely obsolete, but the word persists in various other contexts. For example, it is often used to describe a mass of greenish substances found in the stomachs of ruminant animals, and in certain dialects of English, it can still be heard as an interjection meaning "rubbish" or "nonsense." In summary, the origin of the word "gob" is a complex and multifaceted one, with its meaning evolving and changing over time in response to shifting cultural and linguistic influences.