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.
OOP, prep., adv. Rare Sc. form of Eng. up. [up]Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 48:
The lift may fa' — bit there is scoupe — Nor smore the angels oop on hie!
Hence various int. phrs., e.g. oo-pess (up), oop(p)ie-stiffie, -y, oopsie-doopsie, etc., used in encouraging a child to get on its feet (Ags. 1892 Arbroath Guide (20 Aug.) 3; Gsw. 1920 Glasgow Herald (7 Feb.) 5; ne., Ags., wm.Sc. 1964). Cf. Hoops.Ayr. 1912 G. Cunningham Verse 118:
Tak' mammy's finger, haud the grup, Oo-pess, hooray! the callan's up.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xxvii.:
“Noo, rug,” she cried. “Oopie stiffie.” After a stout pull . . . the drenched man found himself on the bank.
