Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHAPPIN, CHAPING, n. A liquid measure equal to half of a Sc. pint; “an old measure of milk” (Bnff.2 1927, chappin); hence a drink of liquor. Often used attrib. Once Gen.Sc. Cf. Chopin. [′tʃɑpɪ̢n n.Sc., but em. and wm.Sc. + ′tʃpn]Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 20:
Which aft the Chaping Stoup did toom, But fill'd our Head.Abd.19 c.1880:
I fush the milk fae Greysteen ilka nicht in a chappin pailie.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 52:
Twa chappin bottles, pang'd wi' liquor fu', Brandy the tane, the tither Whisky blue.Ayr. 1803 A. Boswell Poet. Works (1871) 21:
I selt my gray plaid, my cauld winter's warm happin', To cheer their leal hearts wi' a gill and a chappin'.Wgt. 1702 in G. Fraser Lowland Lore (1880) 25:
And ye sd william mcKie . . . depones yt ye sd Patt. blain gave him twenty stroacks wt ane chaping stoap.Wgt., Dmf. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
chappin a liquid measure (Wgt 'quart'; Kcb Dmf 'pint').Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Poems (1878) 34:
Could tak' his chappin, pay his kain, But never tippled by his lane.
