Shortening of Japanese, in reference to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Meanings
(Canada, US, ethnic, slang, slur, transitive) To carry out a sneak attack upon (something or somebody).
Forms
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japping
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
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Jap
alternative
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japs
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
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japped
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
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japped
Tense=Past
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jap en · VERB · etymology 2
Etymology
From or related to Scots jaup, jap (“of liquid: dash, splash”).
Meanings
(Northern-Ireland, Scotland, transitive) (of a liquid) To spatter or splash over a surface.
The oilcloth on the kitchen table / an olive green thing - retro surface / japped with little bits of water / or if you like with bits 'v watter / […] 2012, Tom Paulin, Love's Bonfire:
[…] the yelp of the girl as the hot water japped her legs. I The big fellow bore me across the kitchen. 1947, The Bell, volume 15, page 38: