taupie en · NOUN
Etymology
Related to words in various Scandinavian languages meaning "fool". For example, Norwegian tåp, Danish taabe, and Swahili tåpig.
Meanings
-
(Northern-England, Scotland) A foolish or thoughtless young person, especially a lazy or slovenly woman.
"Peter! Peer man, aw doot he hisna sol't 's beets wi' 's transack amo' the lasses. But an' he war goodman o' 'Newtoon,' 's Dawvid ca's 't, an' Mary Howie needin' to gae awa' to the frem't, she maybe winna be sae saucy, aiven though an inhaudin, unedicat taupie chiel in a kwintra chop sud be garrin 'er troo that he 's wuntin' 'er—Fat sorra wud he wunt 'er for but to get 's han's o' the siller that Gushet 's len'it 'im, or I 'm sair mista'en?"
1881, William Alexander, “The Settlement of Mr. Maccassock”, in Johnny Gibb of Gushetneuk, pages 230–231:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| taupies | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| tawpie | alternative | lexicographic |