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.
Quotation dates: 1812-1818, 1874
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‡KILLIECOUP, n. Also killicoup. A tumble head over heels, an upset, a somersault (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1960). Also in n.Eng. dial.Edb. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 16:
Danger o' a plunge or dip, In sea or river, Or killicoup, or awkward slip.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck xii.:
That geng tried to keep vilent leasehaud o' your ain fields, an' your ain ha', till ye gae them a killicoup.Sc. 1874 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 596:
The carriage made a sort of “killiecoup”.
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"Killiecoup n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/killiecoup>
