Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡LOOPICK, n. Also -ik, -ack; lu(p)pi(k), -ek (Jak.); luppack, luibbo, luippo (Ork.); also with variant ending lupil (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). [Sh. ′lupək; Ork. ′lø-]
‡1. A horn spoon with a short or broken-off handle (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 138; Ork. 1902 E.D.D., luibbo, luippo; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., luppack; Sh. 1961).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 39:
A very deep drawer, containing … a auld loopick, a muckle tully.Sh. 1898 Shettland News (17 Sept.):
Shü scraepit da levin oot o' da baesin wi' da mooth o' a horn loopik.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 158:
Shü laid da horn luppik apo' me limb.
†2. The hollow of the hand, esp. when held out to receive something into it (Ork. 1902 E.D.D.).
‡3. A kind of small crab of the variety Lithodidae, or its shell, freq. found in the stomachs of cod; most commonly in combs. cra's-, sorrow's-, trowie-, trow's lupik (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), so called from the resemblance of the carapace to the bowl of a horn spoon (Sh. 1961).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 145:
Three crabs, of a kind called Cra's lupiks.
4. Fig. A small stunted or shrivelled person, a dwarf (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1961).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Turned op in a lupek — wasted away, withered, emaciated.
