cub, n.¹ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cub n.¹

[cub meaning a child, a young person, a novice or a beginner was briefly sl. in early 17C but soon SE]

(UK Und.) a novice gambler, one who is likely to be cheated of his cash.

1603		Dekker Wonderfull Yeare 25: There the rich Cubs lurke, When in great houses ruffians are at worke.
1608		Dekker Lanthorne and Candle-Light Ch. 3: The yong Cub suffers himselfe to be drawne to the stake.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Cub, or young cub c. a new Gamester drawn in to be rookt.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.