Sc. and north. dial. Obs. Also 6 -slippar, -slypper, -slyper, 6–8 -slipper, 7–8 -sleiper. [Of Scand. origin (cf. MSw. swerdslipare); see SLIPE v.1) A sword-sharpener.
1478–9. in R. Davies, Extr. Munic. Rec. York (1843), 64. Solut. Robson Swerdsliper pro j vagina de novo fact. magno gladio majoris.
1541. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., VII. 480. To Thomas Softlaw, suerd slipper, for his fe in making of the Kingis grace skalbertis … xx li.
1584. Rec. Elgin (New Spald. Club, 1903), I. 175. Johne Wmfray swordslypper in Elgin.
1601. in Pitcairn, Crim. Trials (Bannatyne Cl.), II. II. 357. Hector Dauidsoune, sword slipper in Edinburgh.
1661. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 2), Sword-sleiper,… a dresser or maker of Swords. So used in the North of England; And a Cutler with them deals onely in knives.
1678. Sir G. Mackenzie, Crim. Laws Scot., I. xxviii. § 2 (1699), 145. In Anno 1634. James Clerk was pursued, because a Sword being sent by Cuthbertson to Moubray a Sword-slipper [etc.].
1688. Par. Reg. Hexham, in Chron. Mirab. (1841), 156. William, son of William Hutchinson, Sword Sliper.
1714. Extracts Burgh Rec. Stirling (1889), 133. John Allan, sword slipper in Doune.
