Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WUPPLE, v., n. Also wuppel, wupl (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); wipple (Cai.). [wʌpl, Cai. wɪpl]

I. v. To wrap, wind round, bundle up, roll tight (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., wuppel; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc., Cai. 1974); to become entangled (Sh., Cai. 1974); of the legs: to buckle under one (Sh. 1974). Gen. in ppl.adj. wuppled.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 10:
Dead men's banes among da glaar Lie wuppled aboot wi slimy waar.Sh. 1960 New Shetlander No. 54. 15:
Da first I kent wis sometin blawn oot o da sky an wupplin aboot my head til I wis nearly shokkit.Sh. 1972 New Shetlander No. 100. 42:
Da grind is wippled aboot wi wire.

II. n. A tangle (Sh. 1974); a predicament (Cai. 1934, to be in a wipple; Sh., Cai. 1974).