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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.

Pipar, Pyper, n. ¹ Also: pyip-; pipp-, pypp-; peip-, peyp- and -are; peper. [ME. and e.m.E. piper(e (Chaucer), pypare (Prompt. Parv.), OE. Pípere, f. pípe Pipe n.¹] One who plays on a pipe. b. spec. One who plays on the bagpipe.Also attrib., dyslogistically, and proverb.For further examples see Pipe n.¹(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2062 (Ch.).
He trippit on his tais, As he had hard ane pyper play, he gais a1500 Peblis to Play 197. 1507 Treas. Acc. IV. 56.
For … Scottis russait to the thre ȝong piparis 1533 Boece vi. i. 185. a1538 Abell 29 a.
Trumpuris bardis piparis hurmasteris iugularis wes his familiaris of carlege kin 1554 Peebles B. Rec. I. 411.
For ane schameber to the pyper 1586 Paterson Ayr & Wigton I. 92 (see Minstral(l n.). 1606 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 9.
Donnald Murray is chosin pyper for a quarter ȝeir for xl s. 1608 Kinghorn Kirk S. 10.
Gif ewer he be fund heirefter ryoting and intertening ane number of pypers [etc.] 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 41.
To the drummer and pyper to bring the toun folkis out 1649 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 430.
Ther sould be no pypers at brydels 1662 Trip & Go in 1662 Forbes Cantus (ed. 1666).
The pypers drone was out of tune 1662 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 30 April.
[The council] conduces John Reid in Northberwike to be thair pyper and allowes him the same fie and liveray that the drumer gets 1667 Highland P. II. 43.
They ran to M'Gorrie's leagwer causing ther pyper bend up a great pipe 1679 Coll. Witchcraft 97.
And the devill acted the pyiper 1694 Falkirk Par. Rec. II. 44 (see Penny-wedding n.).(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2604 (B).
Fidlaris pypparis and pardonaris 1549 Edinb. Hammermen 179 b.
To the viollaris harparis pypparis fidlaris & vther menstralis 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 650.
They danced thair and haid a pipper 1665 Grant Chart. 351.
To the pypper for his pension thretteen pound sex shillin 8 d.(c) 1588–9 Dundee Acc. MS.
Peyper 1683 Fawside Coal Compt 112.
For the peiper meit(d) 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 199.
To foure tabareis & ane peper [v.r. pepher, see Pifer n.] the day of the musteris(2) 1487 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 52.
That the commoun pyperis of the towne be feyit for the honour of the town [etc.] 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 128.
To the commoun piparis in Abirdene 1588 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 234.
Johnne Thomesoun is feit commoun pyper of the said burgh 1666 Rothesay B. Rec. 113.
Appoints Johne M'Art M'Clane to be commoune pyper in the towne … and he is to have sax schilling out of ilk reik and fra ilk tredsman within the towne 1672 Stirling B. Rec. II. 12.
John Inneis pyper to be common pyper to the said burgh and to accompany the drum every evening and morning … and for his service they allow him twentie foure pounds Scotts yearlie for fie and cloathes with ane hous to dwell in or the meale of an hous, and grantis him the priviledge of playing to all penny brydellis within the said burgh 1675 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 197. 1678 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS. 10 July.
Androw Young was admitted common pypper of this burgh(3) 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 115.
To Inglis pyparis that com to the castell ȝet and playt to the king 1505 Ib. III. 96.
To the four Italien piparis 1506 Ib. 190.
To … the Inglis pipar with the drone 1596 Dalr. I. 174/19.
A certane hiland pyper 1612 in Ayr B. Acc. lxxvi.
To ane heland pyper(4) 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 318/1.
George Myllare piper in Kilbirny 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 179.
Johnne Thane pypare 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 418.
Edmond Broun ane hieland pyper 1587 Glasgow Kirk S. in Wodrow Coll. Lives of Reformers and Ministers II. ii. 76.
That Spence the piper and his son are no more to play on the street of this toun 1592 Elgin Rec. II. 26 (see Pipe n.¹ 1 b. 1625 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 310.
Alexander Neilsone piper principall 1659 St. A. Presb. 74.
That John Mure pyper is occasion of much dissorder in ther congregations by his pypeing at brythells [etc.] 1663 Ellon Par. 126.
[A fine imposed on] John Pirie ane vagabound pyper … at Merimes fair 1680 Banff Ann. I. 159. 1680–1 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 505.
John Macklain the touns pypperattrib. 1585 Glasgow Prot. IX. 151.
Andro Downy … come unto me and callit me pyper knaif Ib. 152.
Calling him pypar lownproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 796.
The piper wants meikle that wants the nether chafts