E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Abbey-lubber (An).
An idle, well-fed dependent or loafer.
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“It came into a common proverbe to call him an Abbay-lubber, that was idle, wel fed, a long, lewd, lither loiterer, that might worke and would not.”—The Burnynge of Paules Church, 1663.
It is used also of religions in contempt; see Dryden’s Spanish Friar.
