subs. (common).1. A singer.
2. (common).A glass or tankard.
1862. G. MEREDITH, Juggling Jerry Poems.
Hand up the CHIRPER! ripe ale winks in it; | |
Lets have comfort and be at peace. | |
Once a stout draught made me light as a linnet. | |
Cheer up! the Lord must have his lease. |
3. (common).The mouth. For synonyms, see Potato trap.
4. (music-hall).One of a gang frequenting the stage doors of music-halls to blackmail the singers. If money be refused them, they go into the auditorium and hoot, hiss, and groan at the performer. [Cf., CHIRRUPER, quot., 1888.]
1889. Daily News, 2 July, p. 2. Singularly enough the Canterbury Music-hall was mentioned in one of the night-charges, two men known as CHIRPERS or CHIRRIPERS being brought before Mr. Biron.