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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Papingo(e, -aw, Papyngo, n. Also: papp-, paipp-, pep-. [sc. var. of Papinga(y. Cf. OF. papegau, -au(l)t, 13th c. varr. of papegay, MLG. papenghoy (1392), MDu. papengoy, a parrot, also a target-figure, cf. also Papejaye n.] A popinjay, in the usual senses and applications.

1. A parrot. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 63.
Papingo [: fro] Ib. 80.
Papyngo 1538 Treas. Acc. VII. 22.
To by ane papingo to the Kingis grace x cronis 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 648/2.
Ane kaige for the papingo 1570 Sat. P. xv. 37.
Ȝe plesand paun and papingaw [: craw] a1570-86 J. Maitland Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 56. a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxv. 90.
The papingo in hew exceidis birdis all 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xxv. — a1540 Freiris Berw. 152 (M).
Als proud as ony papingo [: tuo]

2. A representation of a parrot set up as a target for archers.Comb. in papingo bend, in Ayrshire, an ornamental band awarded to the winner of an annual contest in archery. Also bend of, also to, the papingo, id. For further information, see Glasg. Arch. Soc. Trans., N. S. (1896) II. 324 ff.(1) 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 115.
The papingo being appoyntit be Johne Walker bowar, syndery boyith of the citie [Edinburgh] and gentillmen upaland schot at the samin 1665 Irvine Mun. II. 91.
The magistrats … haveing … appoyntit the paippingoe to be set up … And that severall dayis being appoynted for schooting thairat Ib.
In being capitan throw my schooting doun of the papingoe and haveing receavit ane scarff of the value afoirsaid thairfore [etc.] 1688 in Glasg. Arch. Soc. Trans. N. S. (1896) II. 324 ff.
At Kilwinning … in order to the restoring of the ancient game of the papingo(2) 1594–5 Ayr B. Acc. 185.
For the bend to the papingo Ib. 186.
For taffatie to the youth for the bend of the papingo 1610–2 Ib. 249.comb. 1611–2 Ayr B. Acc. 252.
Papingo bend 1614 Ib. 58.

3. adj. A shade of green. Also papingo grene, id.(1) 1614 Laing MSS. I. 138.
Pepingo greine 1625 Edinb. Test. LIII. 32.
Pappingo grein(2) 1601 Treas. Acc. MS. 82.
Ane quarter pepingo craip 1640 Edinb. Test. LIX. 244 b.
Blak and papingo philosella