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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CRAPPEN, Krappin, Kroppin, Kroppen, Crappin, Crapen, Cropping, n. “Meal and fish-livers crushed together, meal-dumplings, filled with fish-livers. Mostly in the form kroppin and esp. denoting meal and fish-livers crushed together, stuffed into the head of a fish, and boiled” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), krappin; 1913–14 J. M. Hutcheson W.-L., crappin; 1914 Angus Gl., kroppen).Sh.(D) 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 177:
The liver of the fish was extensively used in a fresh state, and entered into the formation of numerous nutritious dishes, such as . . . liver muggies, krampies, krappin.Sh. 1927 J. Gray in Shet. Times (23 April):
Guid kens what dey wid caa crapen.

Combs.: 1. crappin head(s), crappen —, kroppen —, krappin —, = Crappen (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), krappin —; Cai.⁷ 1940, kroppen — ); cf. Crappit-heids; 2. kroppin-kuithe, “kuithe (young saithe or coal-fish) stuffed with a mixture of oatmeal and livers; especially noted as a Hallowe'en dish” (Ork. 1929 Marw.); 3. krappin muggies (Sh. 1914 Old-Lore Misc. VII. ii. 73), cropping moggies (see quot.).1. Sh.(D) [1877] G. Stewart Fireside Tales (1892) 244:
Dey wir just poorin' der dinner. I mind it wis crappin heads an' tatties.Fif. 1897 “S. Tytler” Lady Jean's Son iv.:
He returned in time to call down another blessing . . . on the cod and the crappen-heads.3. Sh. 1846 Fraser's Mag. (Sept.) 333:
Cropping moggies . . . consists of the liver of the cod, mixed with flour [or oatmeal] and spice, and boiled in the fish's stomach.