Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1820-1836
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†GALOPIN, n. Also gallopin, galpin.
1. An under-servant. Obs. in Eng. since early 17th cent. and used arch. by Scott.Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot xxi.:
"What galopin is that thou hast brought hither?" "So please you, my lady, he is the page who is to wait upon — " "Ay, the new male minion."Sc. 1824 Scott St Ronan's W. xxx.:
So saying, he gave the little galopin his donative, and a slight rap on the pate.
2. A roving youngster, a street-arab (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., galpin).Sc. 1836 Tait's Mag. (Sept.) 557:
A bare-legged gallopin among the wilds of Kintail.
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"Galopin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/galopin>
