DCHP-2

scribbler DCHP-2 (May 2017)

• n. — Maritimes, often Education

  a notebook.

  Type: 1. Origin — Scribbler has a Canadian dimension by virtue of frequency (see Chart 1). It is the majority term for a notebook in the Maritimes and has limited frequency (in the 20-percent range) in the Prairie provinces (Boberg 2005: 44). Notebook is the most common term in the US, and also in Ontario and BC. The term shows considerable regional variation within Canada, yielding five major isoglosses in one study (Boberg 2005: 41). OED-3 lists the term as "Chiefly N. Amer.", yet its oldest quotation (1906) is from BC (see in this context the antedatings from the 1890s below).
  Scribbler is not listed in the American dictionaries DARE, DAE or DA, nor in the British EDD, which adds a historical Canadian dimension to the term. Four of six OED-3 quotations (as of Jan. 2016) have a Canadian context, while one is Irish (James Joyce). An Irish connection is possible, yet until Irish antedatings of the term are found it should be considered Canadian in origin, although further research may shift the assessment from Origin to a Preservation (from Irish English).
  See also COD-2, s.v. "scribbler" (2), which is marked "Cdn", Gage-5, s.v. "scribbler" (2), which is marked "Cdn", DNE, s.v. "scribbler". Not listed in EDD.

  See also: exercise book  copybook