subs. phr. (colloquial).—A neat verbal effect. As adj. = quick, sharp, SMART (q.v.).
1594. SHAKESPEARE, Love’s Labour’s Lost, v. 1. A sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! SNIP, SNAP, quick and home! it rejoiceth my intellect; true wit!
1597. G. HARVEY, The Trimming of Thomas Nashe, in Works [GROSART, iii. 72]. If heere I haue been too prodigall in SNIP SNAPS, tell me of it.
1728. POPE, The Dunciad, ii. 240. SNIP-SNAP short, and interruption smart.
1870. JUDD, Margaret, iii. I recollect … overhearing … a sort of grave SNIP-SNAP about Napoleon’s return from Egypt,… and what not.
