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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAIRP, n., v. Also herp, hirp. Sc. forms of Eng. harp. See P.L.D. § 48.1 (2), and Harp. [he:rp, hɛrp]

I. n. As in Eng. Hence hairper, a harper (Lnk. 1923 G. Rae 'Mang Lowland Hills 41).Sc. 1831 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1856) III. 163:
Here's your herp, sir.ne.Sc. 1929 M. W. Simpson Day's End 28:
Forbye that ficherin' an' haiverin' wi' a herp Maun leuk a fooshionless bit job to Bell!

II. v. To play upon the harp; fig. to refer constantly to one subject, to grumble (Abd., Lth., Bwk., Uls. 1956).Rnf. 1865 J. Young Pictures 13:
I hae a richt to hirp an' murn Owre that death-dealin' blast.Rxb. 1919 Hawick Express (7 Feb.) 4:
They'll juist be hairpin' on yae tune.Abd. 1920 C. Murray Country Places 37:
I'll ken 'at she's happy herp-herpin' abeen.