nips, adjective

/nɪps/
Origin:
Presumably related to nip.
slang
Afraid, anxious; cowardly. Cf. nip.
Note:
In use (according to an informant’s recollection) before 1963.
1977 L. Abrahams Celibacy of Felix Greenspan 46In the changing pavilion Willem said, ‘Sies! but you’re a real coward you know? You’re nips like a kaffir.’
1983 J.E. Kahn InformantNips. Schoolboy slang meaning scared, cowardly, chicken.
1991 I.E.G. Collett Informant, Pilgrim’s RestI was too nips to try my horse over those jumps.
1991 V. Hustler Informant, UmtentweniWhen we had our first [baby] I was nips (afraid) that I would drop her.
Afraid, anxious; cowardly.
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19771991
nipinyana, nounn.NIS, nounn.
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