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.
TRAPPIN, n. Also trappan. Sc. forms and usage of Eng. trapping, ornaments, embellishment.
1. Material used to trim or tie garments, lace, tape, ribbon (Bnff., Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Ork., ne.Sc., Ags. 1973). Freq. in phr. a bowt trappin, a skein, hank or length of tape (Abd. 1915). See Bout, n.1Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 143:
Green breeks and trappens ty'd at ilka knee.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 190:
Linen and trappin, A chest and a grave.Ags. 1902 Arbroath Guide (18 Oct.) 4:
She tied doon the lid wi' a bit black trappin.Abd. 1932 J. White Moss Road xvii.:
The wisp o' crochet that was round the neck o't like a bout o' trappin'.
2. Small wares, a hawker's stock-in-trade (Rxb. 1973).Slk. 1899 C. M. Thomson Drummeldale 5:
‘Trappin', ‘trumpery', ‘humbug', ‘rubbitch', were the terms he would use at the sight of these unwelcome additions.Rxb. 1952 W. Landles Gooseberry Fair 18:
He gethers his trappin' and maks for the door.
