Definition of the word kip

The origin of the word "kip" and its meanings vary across different usages and dialects in English. In Scots, the word "kip" means "sleep" or "rest," and it likely derives from the Old Norse word "kipta," which means "to keep" or "to preserve." This may be linked to the fact that Scots-speaking communities in Northern England and Lowlands of Scotland were heavily influenced by Viking invaders, resulting in the incorporation of Old Norse words into Scots vocabulary. In Scottish dialects, the word "kip" can also be used to describe a cheap or rundown place to stay, possibly due to its association with the same underlying concept of rest or sleep. Again, this meaning could originate from Old Norse, in which "kipti" meant "to hold" or "to retain," which, in a metaphorical sense, could be associated with shelter or being held in place. In other dialects or colloquial usages of English, "kip" often refers to loose hair or fur, possibly due to the fact that at one point, it meant "skin" or "hide" in Old English. Overall, the etymological history of "kip" is complex and multifaceted, with its meanings likely shaped by the historical and linguistic contexts in which it was used.