cribby n Cp GROSE (1785) cribbeys 'blind allies, courts or bye ways'; PARTRIDGE Cribbeys or Cribby Islands [Caribee Islands].
   1 In pl, a dense and cheaply-built part of St John's.
   [1856] 1906 MURPHY 11 Several houses burnt at 'cubeers' [ = cribbies] St John's. 1862 Daily News 13 May, [p . 2] The scene of these Bacchanalian peace disturbers was that poetic place ycleped cribbies. 1892 Evening Herald 21 Nov, p. 4 An assault case, brought by a woman from Brennan's Lane against a man from 'the Cribbies,' was dismissed. [1900 OLIVER & BURKE] 42 In parts of the town were crowded places like Tarehin's town, the Cribbies, Dogstown and Maggotty Cove. 1973 Evening Telegram 26 May, p. 8 'Oh no thank you' sez Mag, 'and another thing Edward, if you want to discuss that relict of the cribbies I hope you refer to it as a cuspidor.' 1981 ibid 2 May How often have I asked you never to use the word grub, people will think you came from the cribbies, always refer to food as sustenance.
   2 A resident of St John's; TOWNY; also attrib; (P 76-67).
   P 63-99 ~ s. A slightly derogatory term for St John's-men (or townspeople). 1979 Evening Telegram 23 June, p. 15 'Of course, you wouldn't say body [instead of rames],' sez Mag. 'You got to bring cribbie talk into it.'

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