subs. (old).—A chatterbox; a WIND-BAG (q.v.): cf. ‘He’s like a BAGPIPE, he never talks till his belly’s full.’ As adj.= empty-headed, GUTLESS (q.v.); and as verb = TO GAS (q.v.).
1603. H. CROSSE, Vertues Common-wealth (1878), 103. The Seruing-man, the Image of sloath, the BAGGE-PIPE of vanitie, like a windie Instrument, soundeth nothing but prophanenesse.
1612. CHAPMAN, The Widow’s Tears, i. 2. Whoreson BAGPIPE lords!
1884. Christian World, 19 June, 463. 4. Two fresh sermons a week … from the one poor droning theological BAGPIPE.
1850. CARLYLE, Latter-day Pamphlets, v. 169. Such parliamentary BAGPIPES I myself have heard play tunes.
