didapper

Noun

didapper (plural didappers)

1. A small diving water bird frequenting rivers and fresh waters, specifically a little grebe or dabchick.
   • The misery of man may fitly be compar'd to a Di­dapper, who when she is under water, past our sight, and indeed can seem no more to us, rises again; […]1679, Francis Beaumont, Fifty comedies and tragedies, page 483
2. (derogatory, obsolete) A scoundrel, a worthless person
   • If a Martin can play at cheſtes, as well as his nephewe the ape, he ſhall knowe what it is for a ſcaddle pawne, to croſſe a Biſhop in his owne walke. Such dydoppers must be taken vp, els theile not ſtick to check the king.1589, John Lyly, Pappe with an hatchet, page 3
   • In earneſt thus; There is a Doctor and his Fart, that haue kept a foule ſtinking ſtirre in Paules Churchyard; I crie him mercie I ſlaundered him, he is ſcarſe a Doctor till he hath done his Acts: this dodipoule, this didopper, this profeſſed poetical braggart, hath raild vpon me with out wit or...1592, Thomas Nashe, Strange newes, of the intercepting certaine letters, and a conuoy of verſes, as they were going priuilie to victuall the Low Countries