nip, verb transitive and reflexive

Origin:
Unknown; perhaps intended to suggest the tight clenching of teeth or tensing of muscles of one who is nervous.
In the slang phrases to nip oneself, to nip straws (usually in the participial form nipping straws): to be anxious or afraid. Also absolute. Cf. nips.
1970 B. Kirk-Cohen Informant, Pietersburg (now Polokwane)Nipping straws. Scared, nervous.
1972 R. Malan Ah Big Yaws 36Nippon strauce, A nervous condition brought about perhaps by the unexpected, unaccustomed or unwanted proximity of the forces of authority, officialdom or law and order.
1974 ‘Blossom’ in Darling 8 May 91Now we reely nipping straws, hey, oupa shouting, Bert blubbing and me running up and down looking in all the compartments.
1975 ‘Blossom’ in Darling 12 Feb. 119I’m only nipping the biggest straws you ever saw.
1976 ‘Blossom’ in Darling 17 Mar.Talk about nipping straws..never been so poep-scared in my whole entire life.
1981 St. Martin’s Chron. 3 JuneHe nipped himself before the exams.
1989 F. Wolfaart on TV1, 14 Oct.Some of the guys out there will be nipping straws that he’ll get away.
1991 I.E.G. Collett Informant, Pilgrim’s RestNips or nipping: nervous.
In the slang phrases to nip oneself, to nip straws (usually in the participial form nipping straws):to be anxious or afraid. Also absolute.
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19701991
90-day, adjectiveadj.nipinyana, nounn.
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