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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.

GIP, n.², v. Also gipp, †gjip, †gyp, gaip. Rarely gib. [Sh. g(j)ɪp; Ork. g(j)ep]

I. n. 1. “A cut made in the belly of a fish; the place where the fish is cut when the entrails are taken out” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh.¹⁰ 1954).

2. Herring guts (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., gjip).Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 116:
They were enjoying themselves like seagulls after a good meal of herring-gipp!

II. v. To gut fish, gen. herring (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw., gaip; ‡Sh.¹⁰, Bwk.³ (gib) 1954). Since early 17th c. in Eng. in herring-fishing areas.Sc. 1788 Aberdeen Mag. 337:
Establishing concise, distinct. clear and simple orders for gilping [sic], sorting, packing, and repacking, will be useful. Herrings should be washed before repacking.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (9 July):
Da lasses, 'at's been dere at da gippin', say 'at dey could buy ivery thing 'at dey stude in need o'.

Hence 1. gip(p)er, ‡(1) a woman employed in gutting fish (Sh.¹⁰ 1954, rare); (2) a small knife used in the process (Sh. 1913 J. M. Hutcheson W.-L., Sh.¹⁰ 1954); 2. gipek, = (2) (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gippic, 1914 Angus Gl., gjippik).1. (1) Sh. 1897 Shetland News (12 June):
Hit wid tak a philosofer ta tell a herrin' gipper frae a lady, wi' da confoondid trumpery an' straet jacket bodices 'at der a' wearin.Sh. 1899 Ib. (15 April):
The Fraserburgh gypers and coopers are said to be sometimes very foul-mouthed.(2) Sh. 1718 Old-Lore Misc. VI. iv. 195:
A duzen of small knives comonly caled heringgipers.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 39:
An old oak table, with a very deep drawer, containing . . . a peerie gipper.