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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FLAP, n., v. Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A sudden happening, an accident without warning (Abd.²⁷ 1952).Abd. 1787 J. Skinner Amusements (1809) 94:
A dreel o' wind, or nip o' frost, Or some sic flap.

2. A flat slice.Lnk. 1835 W. Watt Poems (1860) 94:
Ewe-milk cheese in whangs and flaps.

3. The “form” or lair of a hare, or other animal (Bnff., Ags., s.Ayr. 1951).

4. A short rest taken lying down (ne.Sc. 1952). See v. 1.Abd.²⁷ 1952:
I'll awa an hae a flap efter my denner.

II. v. 1. intr. To fall or throw oneself down flat suddenly, esp. in order to conceal oneself, to flop (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Ayr., Dmf. 1951), also in colloq. Eng.; to lie down for a short rest (Abd.²⁷ 1952). Cf. Flype, v.² See P.L.D. § 54.Mry. 1865 W. H. Tester Poems 150:
Sittin' back he gaed a stotter — Ower he flappit on the fleer.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 48:
Fin he saw's father comin', he flappit amo' the girs.Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables frae French 44:
Wi' neb to grun, he flapp't doon than an' there! The Bear cam; gaed the body roon.Abd. 1917 C. Murray Sough o' War 28:
Tho' we joukit as we ran, an' flappit eence or twice.

2. tr. To come upon (a wild animal) by surprise, sc. so as to cause to flap.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 48:
We cam upon a liverock's nest, an' flappit 'ir sittin' on't.

†3. To turn inside out (Abd. 1825 Jam.). Cf. Flype, v.¹

†4. In ppl.adj. flapit, splay- or flat-footed (Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton Gl.); imit. of the flapping motion of the feet. A school slang usage.

III. Used adv. = with a heavy thud. Phr. to play flap down, to flop down heavily.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch (1839) xvi.:
I saw Magneezhy . . . play flap down on his broadside.Ayr. 1882 J. Hyslop Dream of a Masque 124:
He's gane flap on his back, coupit clean heid-owre-heels.