Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1877-1957
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PIPPER, v., n. Also pip(e)r (Jak.). [′pɪpər]
I. v. To tremble, quiver with fear, cold or the like (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1965); of the heart: to throb, palpitate (Jak.). Hence pipperation, a fit of trembling or quaking (Sh. 1965).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 112:
My very flesh is pipperin' upo' my banes wi' faer.Sh. 1924 T. Manson Peat Comm. 199:
Da poor sowl wis in sic a pipperation at he couldna get da wirds oot.Sh. 1957 Sh. Folk-Bk. III. 54:
He heard soonds o da trows, an he began ta pipper, bit he sed till himsel "Pipper doo, Willie, Kirsie needs hir supper."
II. n. A trembling, excited state, a frightened, quaking condition (Sh. 1965).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I was a' in a pipper.
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"Pipper v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pipper>
