1821. D. HAGGART, Life, p. 20. Giving him plenty of LIP. Ibid., p. 172. LIP, abuse.
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, iv. 285. He looked out for a ‘cheeky answer,’ a ‘bit of LIP,’ and had I given it to him he would have reported me without fail.
1884. S. L. CLEMENS (‘Mark Twain’), The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, v. ‘Don’t you give me none o’ your LIP,’ says he…. ‘I’ll take you down a peg before I get done with you.’
1888. F. R. STOCKTON, Rudder Grange, 99. I told him that I didn’t want none of his LIP.
Verb. (colloquial).—1. To sing. For synonyms, see WARBLE. Fr. rossignoler. (2) To speak.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, 124. But come, I’ll LIP ye a chaunt.
1841. LEMAN REDE, Sixteen-String Jack, ii. 3. So thus I’ll trip it, LIP it.
1885. Punch, 10 Jan., p. 21. I had great power, millions LIPPED my name.
TO BUTTON UP THE LIP (or MOUTH), verb. phr. (common).—To silence. BUTTON YOUR LIP! = hold your tongue; STOW IT (q.v.).
1747–8. TRAPP, Explanatory Notes on the Gospels. Mathew xxii. 46. How easily can God BUTTON UP THE MOUTHS of our busiest adversaries.
1868. Notes and Queries, 4 S. 1. 603. At school it was thought quite an accomplishment in the young gentlemen who were fast of tongue to be able to silence a talkative comrade with the phrase ‘BUTTON YOUR LIP.’
TO FALL BETWIXT CUP AND LIP. See SLIP.
TO KEEP (or CARRY) A STIFF UPPER LIP, verb. phr. (common).—To be self-reliant under difficulties; to be unflinching in the attainment of an object.
1833. NEAL, The Down-Easters, ii. 15. KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP; no bones broke—don’t I know?
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 1st S. xxxii. He was well to do in the world once, CARRIED A STIFF UPPER LIP, and keered for no one.
1847. W. T. THOMPSON, Chronicles of Pineville, 150. Tut, tut, major, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, and you’ll bring him this time.
1850. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, xii. I hope you keep up good heart, and are cheerful. Now, no sulks, ye see; KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, boys; do well by me, and I’ll do well by you.
TO MAKE A LIP, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To mock; to grimace.
1610. SHAKESPEARE, Coriolanus, ii. 1. I will MAKE A LIP at the physician.
