bub

American  

[buhb] / bʌb /

noun

Slang.

1. (used as an often insolent term of address) brother; buddy.

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bub British  

/ bʌb /

noun

1. informal fellow; youngster: used as a form of address

2. slang

   1. a baby

   2. the first grade of schooling; nursery school

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Etymology

Origin of bub

1830–40, perhaps < German Bub, short for Bube boy

Example Sentences

Just before Eboli’s “O don fatal,” the conductor pointed out to principal bassoon William Short how “it’s very different without the bub bub bub of the trumpets.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2022

Molly McCully, a Lilly spokeswoman, told me Azar departed the company "to pursue other career opportunities" — typically code for "here's your hat, bub."

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2017

Hey now, I’m the one asking the questions, bub!

From The Verge • Feb. 26, 2016

Or, minus the corporate doublespeak: Your days are numbered, bub.

From Washington Post • Dec. 18, 2015

"Here, bub, get a bucket, will you, and bring my nag some water?"

From Harper's Young People, October 26, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various