Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PLAPPER, v., n. Also plopper (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.).
I. v. 1. Of a liquid: to bubble and plop in boiling, to Papple (ne.Sc. 1966). Also fig.Bch. 1924 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 59:
Speaking of a boiling pot, we may say its contents are “plapperin,” such as porridge, which throws up blabs or bubbles, which burst and emit steam.Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Sc. Sangs 22:
We've pitten on wir muckle pot, Tae hotter like the Deevil; O' plapperin words it hauds a lot.
2. To splash about in water, “to make a noise with the lips, or by a body having a flat surface in a liquid” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 127; Mry. 1966).Abd. 1925 R. L. Cassie Gangret Muse 35:
She grows big an' strong an' free, While she plappers by the lea.
II. n. 1. A bubbling or slobbering sound, “the noise made by the lips in a liquid” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 127).
2. In comb. plapper doosh, a tremendous fall (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.). Cf. Dush, n.1, Doose.
[Onomat. Cf. Eng. plap, Plaip, and Ger. plapperen, = 1.]
