different between chipper vs chirper

English

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?t??p?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?t??p?/
• Rhymes: -?p?(?)

Etymology 1

From English dialectal kipper (“nimble; frisky”), of obscure origin. Perhaps akin to Old Norse kjapt (“briskly; impetuously”), kippa ("to snatch; pull; jerk" > Middle English kippen (“to seize”)), kipra (“to wrinkle; draw tightly”), Norwegian kjapp (“fast; brisk”), Dutch kippen (“to seize; catch; grip”). More at kip.

Adjective

chipper (comparative more chipper, superlative most chipper)

1. Exhibiting a lively optimism; in high spirits, cheerful.

Translations

Etymology 2

chip +? -er

Noun

chipper (plural chippers)

1. (Britain, Ireland, slang) A fish and chip shop, or more generally a cheap fast food outlet, typically selling chips and other deep-fried foods.
2. (slang) A deep frier.
3. (US) A machine that reduces organic matter to compost; depending on size, whole tree trunks are reduced to sawdust; a woodchipper.
4. (US, smoking) An occasional tobacco user, or more generally drug user.
5. A machine that chips potatoes ready to be fried and made into chips.
6. A company that manufactures potato chips/potato crisps.
   • 1974, Potato Chipper (volume 33, issues 16-27, page 25)

     Bichel asked chippers several thought-provoking questions about potato procurement, storage and handling.
7. Someone who chips (e.g. wood).
8. (sports) A player who chips the ball.
9. (golf) A golf club for making chip shots.

Synonyms

• (cheap food store): chippy, greasy spoon, hole in the wall

Translations

Etymology 3

Compare cheep, chirp.

Verb

chipper (third-person singular simple present chippers, present participle chippering, simple past and past participle chippered)

1. (Britain, dialect) To chirp or chirrup.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Forby to this entry?)

English

Etymology

chirp +? -er

Pronunciation

Noun

chirper (plural chirpers)

1. A thing or animal that makes a chirping sound.

   The electronic smoke alarm includes a chirper which sounds when the battery is low.

2. (Canada, slang, mildly derogatory) A person who speaks with a distinct English or Welsh accent.

   I could barely understand a word that chatty chirper said.

3. (obsolete, slang) A chirping cup; an alcoholic drink.