Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1869-1959
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NAP, n.1 A jibe, a sarcastic remark or reproof, a jeering way of speaking (Fif. c.1850). Hence ppl.adj. nappit, crabbed, ill-humoured (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). e.Lth. 1885 S. Mucklebackit Rural Rhymes 232:
A bitter carle was he, nae doubt, Wi's naps an' jeers.
Phr: to tak ane's (a, the) nap aff (ower) somebody, to make fun of, mock, have a joke at another's expense, take a rise out of (Rnf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 152; Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 350; Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 80; I., em., sm. and s.Sc. 1963).w.Sc. 1869 A. Macdonald Love, Law, and Theology xiii.:
It is quite plain that the individual in the gallery who said, "All round my hat", wished to take his nap off the Presbytery.Fif. 1875 A. Burgess Poute 121:
I suppose ye wud like to tak' the nap aff a body.Mry. 1888 T. Mason A. Dickson 281:
They're jist takin' their nap aff them, there's naebody takin' the thing serious.Kcb. 1893 Crockett Raiders xvi.:
The folk who are aye taking their nap off other folks are the thinnest in the pelt themselves.Ags. 1914 I. Bell Country Clash 174:
"The slippery-tongued jaud" who had that night again "ta'en the nap ower her."Ags. 1959 Forfar Dispatch (31 Dec.):
I thocht I'd tak the nap aff her, for a cheenge.
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"Nap n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nap_n1>
