The word "rubadub" is commonly used to describe the sound of a drumbeat or the rhythm of someone washing clothes. The IPA transcription of this word is /ˌrʌbəˈdʌb/. The "u" sound is repeated twice, which represents the double beat of a drum or the two strokes of a washboard. The "a" sound in the middle represents the accent on the second syllable. The spelling of this word is onomatopoeic, meaning that it is spelled in a way that mimics the sound it describes.
Rubadub is a noun that refers to a style of Jamaican reggae music that emerged in the late 1970s. It is characterized by its heavy emphasis on the bass and drum instrumentation, creating a syncopated and rhythmic sound. Rubadub is often associated with the dancehall genre and is commonly played in clubs and parties due to its infectious beat and energetic tempo.
The term "rubadub" also has an alternate meaning as an onomatopoeic phrase. As a verb, rubadub describes the sound of scrubbing or rubbing an object, typically a washboard or similar surfaces, usually to clean or wash clothes. This action produces a distinctive rhythmical sound, reminiscent of the accompanying beat in rubadub music, hence the term's association with the genre.
Furthermore, "rubadub" can serve as an interjection or adverb to mimic the sound effect of a repeated drumbeat or the syncopated rhythm typically found in reggae music. It is often used as a vocalization element during live performances or when describing the sound of drums and percussions.
Overall, "rubadub" holds dual significance both as a genre of reggae music that emphasizes bass and drum instrumentation and as an onomatopoeic phrase used to mimic the sound of scrubbing or drumbeats.
The word "rubadub" is believed to originate from two sources. The first is from Jamaican Patois, where "rub-a-dub" refers to a style of reggae music that developed in the 1970s. The term "rub-a-dub" in this context refers to the sound produced by rubbing the drumhead and is an onomatopoeic representation of the rhythmic beat.
The second source is the Cockney rhyming slang used in East London. In this context, "rub-a-dub" is a phonetic abbreviation of "pub", which is short for a public house or bar. Cockney rhyming slang often substitutes a word with a phrase that rhymes with it, creating a code language. In this case, "rub-a-dub" rhymes with "pub", thus becoming slang for a bar or drinking establishment.