adj. (colloquial).—1. Proud, arrogant, STUCK-UP (q.v.); ‘rampant, crowing, full of money’ (B. E. and GROSE); also (B. E.) = brisk. Whence UPPISHLY and UPPISHNESS. [JOHNSON: ‘a low word.’]
d. 1704. T. BROWN, A Comical View of London and Westminster, in Works, i. 154. Half-pay officers at the parade very UPPISH upon the death of the King of Spain.
1710. The Tatler, No. 230, 28 Sept. The Jacks and others of that kidney, are very UPPISH and alert upon’t.
1710–13. SWIFT, The Journal to Stella [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, ii. 150. Among the Adjectives is UPPISH, a new word objected to by Swift. Ibid., ii. 151. He turns an Adjective into a verb; I’ll UPPISH you, for he disliked this new phrase].
1740. R. NORTH, Examen, 48. It seems daring to rail at informers, projectors, and officers was not UPPISH enough, but his Lordship must rise so high as daring to limit the power and revenue of the Crown.
1824. R. B. PEAKE, Americans Abroad, i. 1. You are but an underlin’, tho’ you are so UPPISH and twistical.
1840. F. TROLLOPE, The Life and Adventures of Michael Armstrong, iii. She is a bedridden woman, and ought to be in the workhouse; but she’s UPISH, and can’t abide it.
1882. J. R. LOWELL, Some Letters of Walter Savage Landor [The Century Magazine, xxxv. 512]. I sometimes question whether even that quality in him [Landor] which we cannot but recognize and admire, his loftiness of mind, should not sometimes rather be called UPPISHNESS.
1890. F. R. STOCKTON, The Merry Chanter, xvii. Americans are too UPPISH; but when you get hold of a man that is accustomed to being down-trodden, it’s easy to keep him so.
2. (old).—Tipsy: see SCREWED.
1728. VANBRUGH, A Journey to London, iii. 1. Lady Head. Not so drunk, I hope, but that he can drive us? Tom. Yes, yes, madam, he drives best when he’s a little UPISH.
