Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1720-1761, 1815-1925
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PUPIT, n. Also puppit (Bnff. 1867 Banffshire Jnl. (29 Jan.); Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Tween Clyde and Tweed 37), poupit (Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) I. 161), poopit, -et. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. pulpit. See P.L.D. §78.3. [′pupɪt]
1. As in Eng. Also fig., the Church as an institution. Gen.Sc. Combs. and phrs.: (1) pulpit-exchange, the practice of two ministers taking one or more services in each other's church. Also exchange of pulpits, id.; (2) poopit-fit, the spot immediately in front of the pulpit in a church. See also Fit; (3) poopit-goon, the black Geneva gown worn during service by ministers of the non-episcopal Churches in Scotland; (4) poopit man, a minister of the church. Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.; (5) pulpit supply, the provision of a preacher to fill a temporary vacancy in a church during, e.g. an illness or period of leave of the minister. See Supply; (6) to fill a poopit, to be a minister. Cf. (7); (7) to wag one's pow (†beard) in a poopit, = (6), freq. in contexts expressing the aspirations for their son's future of many Scottish parents in former times. Gen.Sc.(1) Per. 1896 I. MacLaren Kate Carnegie 97:
There's maybe naethin' wrang wi' a denner, but the next thing'll be an exchange o' poopits.(2) Abd. 1894 F. Mackenzie Cruisie Sk. 43:
A body wad think I had never seen a christenin', far less stood at the poopit-fit four times already.(3) Edb. 1916 J. Fergus Sodger 12:
A' his claes an' poopit-goon were aye withoot a speck.(4) Sc. 1761 Magopico 45:
He might ha' made a tolerable poupit-man.(6) m.Sc. 1895 A. S. Swan Gates of Eden iv.:
Jamie, my man, wad ye like to fill a poopit tae?(7) Sc. 1720 in A. Pennecuik Helicon 76:
Their Beards may all wag in the Pulpit.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. ii.:
The poor parents were encouraged to hope that their bairn . . . "might wag his pow in a pulpit yet".Rnf. 1830 A. Picken Dominie's Legacy I. 109:
The time would yet come when he should "wag in a poopet like the best."Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb ix.:
The Rev. Jonathan Tawse was not destitute of a desire to wag his pow in some particular "poopit" which he could call his own.Kcb. 1885 A. J. Armstrong Friend and Foe iii.:
[He], honest man, had a great desire to see his son "wag his pow in a poopit".Fif. 1905 S. Tytler Daughter of Manse iii.:
The time had been when Pryde had looked forward to being the first and not the second man in a parish, "to wag his head in a poopit".Edb. 1916 J. Fergus Sodger 11:
On Sawbbaths in the poopit he wagged his auld white heid.Rxb. 1923 Hawick Express (29 June) 3:
Provost Renwick mann hae established a record, an' bei th' first Provost o' Hawick that has wagged his heid in a pu'pit.
2. A natural feature in landscape resembling a pulpit, freq. a rocky escarpment or bank with a sheer drop in front, e.g. the Devil's pulpit near Drymen in Stirlingshire.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 17:
Plewed rigs an planteens . . . an Peden's Poopit buin maist.
3. In Curling: a jocular term for the tee (Sc. 1911 B. Smith "Shilling" Curler 38). Cf. Pairish, n., 2.
