U.S. [App. the same word as northern Eng. kipper lively, nimble, frisky, and perh. orig. a southern or midl. Eng. form of it; but now known only in U. S., and probably associated with, and influenced by CHIPPER v.] Lively, brisk, cheerful; ‘chirpy.’
1837–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 236. There sot Katey by the fire, lookin’ as bloomin’ as a rose, and as chipper as a canary bird.
1849. Thoreau, Week Concord Riv., Tuesd. 234. The sparrows seem always chipper, never infirm.
1861. Holland, Less. Life, i. 21. They are cheerful, and chipper, and sunshiny, and not easily moved to anger.
