A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Choppin(g, Chopin(g, vbl. n.1 Also: choiping. [e.m.E. chopping, ME. choppyng (14th c.), f. Chop v.1] Cutting; striking, knocking; shaking (of hands) .1603 Reg. Privy C. VI. 523.
Thay baith fand thameselffis satisfeit … , and nathing rested in that mater bot the choiping of hands 1641 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 253.
The sacrister … sall … [have] ane staff in the kirk for choping of sleiperis 1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 121 (see Chop n.2 1).
After knocking and choping [etc.]
b. Attrib. with knife (e.m.E. 1552), stick.1547 Stirling B. Rec. I. 48.
Tueching the chopin kniff takin, [the assise] findis use and consuetude of crafts to tak unfremennis werklumes 1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 201.
Thrie auld choppin fleschour knyffis 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. i. 69.
It is the simplest of all tricks To suffer fools have choping sticks
