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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAP, int., n.³, v.³ Also happ, ¶hape, hep, haap, haup, hawp. Cf. Hup.

I. int., n. A call to an animal in harness: 1. to turn to the right (Bwk. 1809 R. Kerr Agric. Bwk. 503; Sc. 1825 Jam., ha(u)p, 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 622), used gen. to horses when ploughing. Also hap aff (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.); 2. to increase speed, gee-up!1. Abd. c.1800 Sc. N. & Q. (1900) 184:
“Wyn” was addressed to oxen when the driver wished them to come towards him, the opposite being “hep off” or “haup.”Bwk. 1809 J. Kerr Agric. Bwk. 503:
Carters employed hap and wind in ordering them to either side.Lnk. 1853 W. Watson Poems 25:
An' by their answerin' our ca' — Hap, wyne, wo back or step awa.Ayr. 1855 H. Ainslie Poems 59:
Just gies his naigs a hap or gee.2. s.Sc. 1838 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 13:
Hap, Bassie! hap! And, smacking his whip the horse increased its speed.

II. v. Of horses or cattle in harness: to turn towards the right (Sc. 1808 Jam., haup; Slg. 1949). Sometimes of the driver: to command to turn to the right. Also used fig.Peb. 1817 R. Brown Lintoun Green i. xvi.:
Next, staring Stanhope, t' hap and gee!Lth. 1829 G. Robertson Recoll. 163:
The . . . word of command, used in the Lothians to the horse . . . was thus: hawp, to hold off, or to the right.

Phrs.: to hap and (or) wynd, of harnessed animals: to turn to right and (or) left; of a ploughman: to make them do so, hence to plough a whole rig by gaitherin and skailin. Also fig., to be compliant with another's wishes, fall in with another's point of view (Sc. 1825 Jam., haup or wynd; Wgt. 1956), freq. in neg. sentences.Abd. 1723 W. Meston Poet. Wks. (1767) 16:
But he could make them turn or veer, And hap or wynd them by the ear.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 79:
How bless'd is he that to his mind Has got a wifie . . . That to his wish will hape or winde, Soothing each care.Sc. 1794 Scott Letters (Cent. ed.) I. 36:
Queen Mab [a mare] . . . in carters phrase would neither hap nor wynd till she got rid of him.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 106:
Nor staggering to hap or wynd, Like a lame horse.s.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 234:
Ye'll neither hap nor wyn — neither dance nor haud the cannle.Ayr. 1866 Trans. Highl. Soc. 80:
Farmers, as a rule, will not readily “happ and wyenn” in any direction save that which pleases themselves.Kcb. a.1902 Gallovidian No. 59. 108:
Dinna sotter in Their waesome plicht wha happ and wyne wi' sin.