subs. (provincial).—1. A yelp; 2 = a cur, a TYKE (q.v.); whence (3) = a countryman. Also as verb = to bark, yelp; YAPSTER = a dog (Tufts, 1798).
1866. G. ELIOT, Felix Holt, xlii. Moro YAPPED in a puppy voice at their heels.
1889. BLACKMORE, Kit and Kitty, xxiv. Presently he YAPPED as in hot chase of a rabbit.
1901. FLYNT and WALTON, The Powers that Prey, 21. This YAP from the country. Ibid., 60. Those YAPS come to town an’ throw up their hands at sights that a Bowery kid wouldn’t drop a cigarette snipe to see.
Verb (back slang).—To pay. Whence YAPPY = over-generous, SOFT (q.v.), foolish: i.e., paying mad.
