Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
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
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0]
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.