Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

JIMP, v.¹, n.¹ Sc. form of Eng. Jump, v.

I. v. Forms. Pr.t. and inf.: jimp (Ayr. 1786 Burns Ep. to Davie xi.; Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 34; Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 93; Cai. 1909 D. Houston 'E Silkie Man 11; Sh. 1959); chump; pa.t.: strong jamp (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 281; Ayr. 1883 W. Aitken Lays 59; Hdg. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 97; Inv. 1910; Sh., Ags., Fif. 1959; Rs. 1970s, Sh., Ork., Ags. 2000s); jaump (Rnf. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls 238); strong-weak jampt (Rnf. 1853 J. Fraser Poetic Chimes 135; Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 25; m.Lth. 1959); weak jimpid (Sh. 1959); pa.p.: strong juppen (Sh. 1959); weak jimpit (Sh. 1888 Archaeol. Review V. i., Sh. 1959).Ork. 1952 R. T. Johnston Stenwick Days (1984) 37:
"Yaas, Humphrey wid chump at the chance o' gaun wi' me. He wur right wild when Tam did him oot."

II. n. Sh. usage: a slight tumbling or choppiness of the sea (Sh. 1959).Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 134:
Ye'll need ta steady yoursel, he's a jimp o' a sea.