subs. phr. (old).—A time-server; TURNCOAT (q.v.). Hence TO TURN TIPPET = to change right about.
d. 1556. CRANMER, Works, II. 15 [Parker Society]. The priests for the most part were double-faced, TURN-TIPPETS, and flatterers.
1562. HEYWOOD, Epigrams. [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 561. Amongst the romance words are] TURN HIS TIPPET.
d. 1575. PILKINGTON, Sermons, 211. All TURN-TIPPETS, that turn with the world and keep their livings still, should have no office in Christ’s church.
1587. GREENE, Morando, ii. No doubt he would not onely TURNE HIS TIPPET, recant his hereticall opinion, and perswade others to honor beautie, but he himselfe would become a louer.
c. 1600. The Merry Devil of Edmonton [TEMPLE], iii. 2. 137. Well, to be brief, the nun will soon at night TURN TIPPET; if I can but devise to quit her cleanly of the nunnery, she is my own.
1609. JONSON, The Case is Altered, iii. 3.
| A saint! | |
| Another Bridget! one that for a face | |
| Would put down Vesta; … | |
| You TO TURN TIPPET! |
1609. FLETCHER, Monsieur Thomas, ii. 2.
| You stand now | |
| As if you had worried sheep. You must TURN TIPPET, | |
| And suddenly, and truly, and discreetly, | |
| Put on the shape of order and humanity. |
