We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CAPER, CAPPER, Capour, Kaper, Kaeper, n. “A piece of oat-cake [or bread] and butter, with a slice of cheese on it” (Per. 1808 Jam.). [′kepər, ′kɑpər]Sc. 1815 C. I. Johnstone Clan-Albin I. 211:
Do you not remember now Hugh, how I gave you a kaper, and a crogan of milk?
Sc. [1826] R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes (1870) 146:
King, King Capper Fill my happer; And I'll gie you bread and cheese.
Per. 1752 Trials Sons of Rob Roy (1818) 107:
Before the letter was half wrote, she gave the deponent a dram, and gave him bread, butter, and cheese, which they call a caper.
Arg. c.1850 The Follinash in L. McInnes Dial. of S. Kintyre (1936) 30:
Khetch in her brat a kaeper took And put her sclaffers on.
Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems and Songs 77:
Och! tak' the side, or troth as gaun He [the baker] 'll dust ye wi' his capour.

[Gael. ceapaire, bread covered with butter and cheese, Irish ceapaire; from ceap, a block, Lat. cippus, id. (MacBain).]

5626

snd