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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GAPPY, GAPI(E), n., adj. Also gaipy. [Sh. ′ga:pi, Ork. + ′gepi, ′gɛpi; Bnff., Ags. ′gɑpe]

I. n. A stupid, gaping or irresponsible person, a fool (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), gapi; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Bnff.2, Ags.2 c.1930; Sh. 1954).

II. adj. Rash, foolish, imprudent (Abd.2 1949).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
An old man called his son “a gaipy bitch.”

[The same word as Norw. dial. gap, a fool, gape, careless babbler, Mod. Icel. gapi, tell-tale, hare-brained fellow, mad-cap, from the same root as Eng. gape and gab. Cf. also Gawpus.]

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