Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHAP, n.1 A fellow, gen. a boy or young man. In this sense common to Sc. and colloq. Eng. The following use, however, is exclusively Sc.: a lover (Cai.7, Bnff.2, Abd.2, Fif.10, Kcb.1 1939). Applied humorously also to a girl, but this is rare in more modern use; cf. Chield, n., 3. [tʃɑp]Mry.2 1935:
Jock Jeemieson was her chap and she niver socht anither.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 30:
Her head lay back, an' her syde chafts sat out, An' o'er her gab hang down a sneevling snout . . . But yet, say what I liked, nought wad do, But I maun gang this bony chap to woo.
