2. (tramps’).—A workhouse. For synonyms, see Spinniken. Sometimes Grubbiken. [[226]]
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the good houses, and the tidy grubbikens—that’s the unions where there’s little or nothing to do for the food we gets.
Grubble, verb. (colloquial).—(1) To feel for at random or in the dark; and (2) (venery) to grope (q.v.).
1684. Dryden, The Disappointment. ‘Prologue.’ The doughty bullies enter bloody drunk, Invade and grubble one another’s punk.
Grubby, subs. (thieves’).—Food. [A diminutive of Grub (q.v.).]
d. 1842. Maginn, Vidocq’s Song. I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol lol, etc. Ay, bub or grubby, I say.
Adj. (colloquial).—Dirty; slovenly.
d. 1845. Hood, A Black Job. Like a grubby lot of sooty sweeps or colliers.
Grub-hunting, subs. (tramps’).—Begging for food.
Grub-shite, verb. (old).—To make foul or dirty; to bewray.—Grose.