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.
‡TIPPERTIN, n. Also -teen; tipperty. A piece of pasteboard pierced in the middle by a pointed stick on which it is spun like a tee-totum, gen. in a simile of a vigorous whirling bobbing motion (Bnff., Abd. 1972). [′tɪpərtɪn]Lth. 1808 Jam.:
To loup like a tippertin.Ags. 1851 Montrose Standard (5 Dec.) 8:
[She] span wi' the rock an' the spindle garrin't birr ootby frae her like a tipperty.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 144:
We danc't like tipperteens to 9 an' 10 o' clock.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick ii.:
Stracht oot o' the mools an' up throwe the lift like a tippertin.
