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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

THUMP, v., n. Also tump (Sh.), see T, letter, 9. Sc. form and usages:

I. v. 1. Sc. phrs. and deriv.: (1) thanks be thumpin' ye, an expression of gratitude and goodwill, a thousand thanks; (2) thumper, the hammer which strikes the hours on a clock; (3) to thump up the thinkin, to think hard, apply oneself to deep thought, to concentrate strenuously. Cf. Pey, v., 3. (1).(1) Ags. 1965 Scots Mag. (March) 542:
When a friend said,“Thanks be thumpin' ye,” I added, as my mother used to do 50 years ago — “And blessin's blaw ye blin'” — and I knew I was home.(2) Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 72:
The Thumper that tells Hours upon the Kirk.(3) Abd. 1923 B. R. McIntosh Scent o' Broom 71:
She's thumpin' up the thinkin'.

2. To beat the ground with the feet, hence to dance; to walk with energy, to work or go at with vigour, also with up or at (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 231).Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 26:
Fair fa' ye, Kett, ye thump it weel.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 83:
Dey wheel da lasses on da flür, An' fast dey a' geng thumpin'.

II. n. 1. A large piece or portion (Sc. 1880 Jam.; Dmb. 1972).Dmb. 1817 J. Walker Poems 56:
Meg made thumps o' sappy cheese.

2. Of a child: a sturdy youngster (Per. 1972).Gsw. 1860 J. Young Poorhouse Lays 47:
I then was in coats, tho' a thump o' a callan.Ayr. 1896 D. Mackie Village Sketches 36:
I wis a bit thump o' a callan playin' wi' her.