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.
Quotation dates: 1907-1930
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WHIMPER, n., v. Also whumper (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 474). Sc. form and usage of Eng. whimper. See also Fumper. [′ʍɪmpər, ′ʍʌmp-]
Sc. n. usage: a rumour, a whisper, a private or secret intimation (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Cai., Ags., Per., Wgt., Rxb. 1974). Also in Ir. dial.Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 87:
I noor heerd a whimper o'd.Cai. 1930 John o' Groat Jnl. (3 Jan.):
A heer'd a whumper he widna roog or rive.
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"Whimper n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/whimper>
