nob
Preserved but no longer current.
The head.—Pugilistic; "bob a NOB," a shilling a head. Ancient Cant, NEB. NOB is an early English word, and is used in the romance of Kynge Alinaunder (thirteenth century) for a head; originally, no doubt, the same as knob.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “nob” mean?
The head.—Pugilistic; "bob a NOB," a shilling a head. Ancient Cant, NEB. NOB is an early English word, and is used in the romance of Kynge Alinaunder (thirteenth century) for a head; originally, no doubt, the same as knob.
Is “nob” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.