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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SAIP, n., v. Also saep, sape, seap, sepe; irreg. saap (Bwk. 1900 A. T. G. Thornlea 71). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. soap. See P.L.D. § 32. [sep]

I. n. As in Eng. (Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings II. 134; Ags. 1825 J. Ross Sermon 27; Bnff. 1844 T. Anderson Poems 75; Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 55; Edb. 1894 J. W. M'Laren Tibbie and Tam 120; Wgt. 1939 J. McNeillie Wgt. Ploughman vi.). Gen.Sc., obsol. Adj. saipy, soapy (Lnk. 1880 Cld. Readings 67; Abd. 1897 G. MacDonald Salted with Fire xxii.). Combs.: 1. saip-bells, soap-bubbles (Sc. 1825 Jam.). See Bell, n.¹; 2. saep-blot(t)s, saipy-, soap-suds, soapy lather (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.); 3. saip(y)-graith, id. (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 263; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Ags., Fif., Lnk., Dmf., Rxb. 1969). See Graith, II. 6.(6); 4. saipman, a soap-maker, soap-boiler; 5. saep sapples, saipie-, suds, lather (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 418; wm.Sc. 1882 Jam.; m.Sc. 1969); 6. saipy-suds, id. (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 265); 7. soap-work, a soap-factory.1. Sc. 1720 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 177:
Drap down Saip-Bells to waiting Fry.Sc. 1842 D. Vedder Poems 27:
Like soap-bells their arguments melted in air.2. Sh. 1898 Shetland News (30 April):
A tub 'at wis staandin' afore da butt bed wi' saep blotts.3. Bwk. 1859 P. Landreth J. Spindle (1911) 46:
Pools o' dirty saipy graith.Hdg. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 255:
Drinking whiech like saip-graith.4. Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 79:
In vain was fill'd the saipman's pan.5. wm.Sc. 1888 Anon. Archie Macnab 33:
The paidles began to steer the water up into saipie sapples.Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 3:
A micht as weel 'a' suppit saep-sapples!6. Hdg. 1896 J. Lumsden Battles 12:
They bake, or darn and patch their duds, Or plunge them in the saipy suds.Edb. 1915 T. W. Paterson Auld Saws 73:
O' a black craw's nane the whiter For a dook in saipy suds.7. Ags. 1776 First Hist. Dundee (Millar 1923) 148:
To the Eastward of the Roperie & Blackscroft is the Soap-Work belonging to Mr Mitchell.

Deriv. soap(e)rie, soapery, soaparie, -y, sopperie, a soap factory. Orig. Sc. Later and rare in Eng.Sc. 1705 J. Spreull Accompt Current (1882) 33:
Pot-ashes for Sopperies.Gsw. 1720 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1909) 80:
There are severall holls in the cassey at the soapary dyck.Kcb. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XI. 313:
Many branches of commerce thrive in Gatehouse. It has a tannery and soapery, both carried on to a good extent.

II. v. As in Eng., to smear with soap or soap-lather (Edb. 1801 J. Thomson Poems 137; Sc. 1827 Gude Wallace in Child Ballads No. 157 D. iii.; Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 279; Knr. 1917 J. L. Robertson Petition to Deil 10).