Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1794-1810, 1888
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†COUP, n.3 Sc. forms and usages of Eng. coop. The Eng. form is illustrated only in a usage long obs. in St.Eng. [kup, kʌup]
1. A sort of pannier; one of two on a horse's back, or fixed on a sledge.Sc. 1888 J. Ramsay Scot. and Scotsmen in 18th Cent. II. x. 199:
Recourse was had to coups, i.e. panniers fixed upon a sledge.
2. A cart with closed sides or ends, usually used for carting dung, etc. Also found in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Ags. 1794 W. Anderson Piper of Peebles 5:
Fan Coops an' Carts were unco rare, An' Creels, an' Corrocks boot to sair.Gall. 1810 S. Smith Agric. Gall. 40:
When used for conveying dung, ashes, &c. a matting or net-work made of straw ropes was spread upon the bottom. This was termed a coup: probably from the facility with which by means of it the carr was unloaded.
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"Coup n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/coup_n3>
