How much is a dab? Will a little dab'll do you. Where did the word come from?

Answer 1

I think this originated from my great-great-great-great-great grandfather, who had chronic sinusitus and thus always said his words strangley, like "I have a code in by dose". Anyway. g-g-g-g-g-grandmother was a stingy woman when it came to cooking. She would give him just little bits of food on his plate. For years when she did this he would exclaim "Dab! is that all I get?"
Finally it became the custom for her to tell him, "Yes Arthur, a dab is all I get, a dab is all you get!" And you can guess the rest.

Answer 2

I'm sure a little dab will be fine lol.



DAB is a three-letter initialism which may refer to:

Dave & Buster's, a chain of restaurants in the United States
Daytona Beach International Airport (IATA airport code: DAB) in Florida, United States
Defense Acquisition Board, a group that reviews proposed purchases by the United States Department of Defense
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, a political party in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Digital Audio Broadcasting, a form of radio transmission
Dortmunder Actien Brauerei, producers of Dab lager
One of the following chemical compounds:
3,3'-Diaminobenzidine, a brownish stainer
Methyl yellow (or p-dimethylaminoazobenzene), a pH indicator

Answer 3

A dab is a very small amount. The phrase you reference ("Little dab'll do you") came from a famous old tv ad for a hairgrease named "Brylcreem" or "Brylcream", too old to remember myself.

Answer 4

**claps for Sassafrass!** Awesome answer, love!!

I had to dab the tear from my eye 'cause I was so proud of you and your amazing answer.

Ok now the English teacher has to answer this seriously. Dab comes from the Middle English word.....dabben meaning to strike lightly or pat. The origin of the word dates back to 1250. So whereas it seems like if you wear Bryl Cream you OUGHT to be old enough to remember the middle ages, I'm thinking the only thing they dadded on their hair was something that was filled with bacteria ridden nastification!

... and THAT is the REST of the story. *curtsies*

Answer 5

That's the way women in old days cooked. A dab of this or a dash of that. Most didn't have measuring cups and spoons, or they learned from their mom or grandma who didn't have them. A dab of butter, for example, would be what I would measure as a teaspoon. A dash of salt would be about 1/8 of a teaspoon.

Answer 6

It's not an exact amount. A dab is basically a portion that you either take with your fingers or with a spoon. Read the exact definition from this website if you want more info...

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Answer 7

dab 1 (db) KEY

VERB:
dabbed , dab·bing , dabs
VERB:
tr.

To apply with short poking strokes: dabbed some paint on the worn spots.
To cover lightly with or as if with a moist substance.
To strike or hit lightly.
VERB:
intr.

To tap gently; pat.

Answer 8

dab means a dollop. small amount. tad amount.
Brylcreem commercial in the 50-60:s.

Answer 9

DAB ORIGINATES BACK TO THE BRYLCREAM COMMERCIAL.MEANING A TAD.
DAB'LL IS A GAME PLAYED WITH DICE.
FLOWERS.

Answer 10

A Brylcreem commercial ~