Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
¶MAPPIN, n. Conjectured to mean a sneak-thief but ? poss. someone who loafs about looking for anything to pick up or steal for a living, a hanger-on.Edb. 1772 Scots Mag. (May 1934) 147:
Now cadies and mappins do wrangle, To cut purses fast if they can.
[? From Map, v.1, in an extended sense.]
