[f. SNIP sb. + SNAP sb., used with imitative effect.]
In Bale Thre Lawes (1538) 1474 Hypocrisy addresses Infidelity as ‘brother snyp snap.’
† 1. The action of snipping or clipping with a pair of scissors or the like; an instance of this. Also fig.
1597. G. Harvey, Trimming T. Nashe, Wks. (Grosart), III. 72. If heere I haue been too prodigall in snip snaps, tell me of it.
1638. Ford, Fancies, V. ii. The fashion of gentry, which is never complete till the snip snap of dexterity hath mowed off the excrements of slovenry.
2. Smart remark or reply; sharp repartee.
1727. Pope, etc. Art of Sinking, 109. It is by virtue of this style that … Marcus Aurelius is excellent at snip-snap.
1781. C. Johnston, Hist. J. Juniper, II. 246. I have amused myself with … playing a game at snip-snap, with Beatrice in Benedick.
1811. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life (1870), I. 149. Letters should assimilate to the higher style of conversation, without the snip-snap of fashionable dialogue.
1872. Tennyson, in Life (1897), II. iv. 113, note. To print the names of the speakers … over the short snip-snap of their talk.
† 3. = SNAPPER sb.1 2 b. Obs.–0
1736. Ainsworth, I. A snip snap, or snappers, crotalum.
