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.
YIP, n. 1. A cheeky, pert person, usually applied to a child who is insolent and forward, an imp (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; e.Lth., Rxb. 1974).Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 151:
Whae'er it contreeved He's nae yip o' the mune!Rxb. 1972 Hawick News (7 Jan.):
‘Yip' seems just to give an additional sting to the lash-out at the impertinent boy or girl.
2. A sharp, capable, tiny woman (Lnk., Rxb. 1921 T.S.D.C.); a shrew (Bwk. 1921 T.S.D.C.).
[Prob., as Watson suggests, a s.Sc. form of Eng. ape, esp. in sense 1., but phs. thought of as imit. in sense 2., as an altered form of Yap, n.1 See Y, letter, 2.(2).]
