Origin of bob

1
First recorded in 1400–50, bob is from the late Middle English word bobben. See bob2

British Dictionary definitions for bob up (1 of 5)

Bob
/ (bɒb) /

noun

Bob's your uncle slang everything is or will turn out all right

Word Origin for Bob

C19: perhaps from pet form of Robert

British Dictionary definitions for bob up (2 of 5)

bob 1
/ (bɒb) /

verb bobs, bobbing or bobbed

noun

Word Origin for bob

C14: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for bob up (3 of 5)

bob 2
/ (bɒb) /

noun

verb bobs, bobbing or bobbed

Word Origin for bob

C14 bobbe bunch of flowers, perhaps of Celtic origin

British Dictionary definitions for bob up (4 of 5)

bob 3
/ (bɒb) /

verb bobs, bobbing or bobbed

to tap or cause to tap or knock lightly (against)

noun

a light knock; tap

Word Origin for bob

C13 bobben to rap, beat; see bop ²

British Dictionary definitions for bob up (5 of 5)

bob 4
/ (bɒb) /

noun plural bob

British (formerly) an informal word for a shilling (def. 1)

Word Origin for bob

C19: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases with bob up

bob up

Appear suddenly or unexpectedly. For example, I didn't know anyone in the group until Harry bobbed up. This term uses the verb bob in the sense of “to bounce,” a usage dating from Chaucer's day. [Late 1800s]