1868. Broadside Ballad, ‘The Chickaleary Cove.’ For to catch me on the hop.… You must wake up very early in the morning.
1870. London Figaro, 26 Aug. If to catch any of the more ordinary folk on the hop is to secure a laugh, what must it be to catch the Tycoon ‘on the—top?’
1872. Daily Telegraph, 3 Sept. Goodbye, Johnny: before I leave you, One more kiss before I go. For to catch me on the hop.
1892. Anstey, Model Music Hall, 32. I never saw a smarter hand at serving in a shop, For every likely customer she caught upon the ’op.
2. (common).—On the go; in motion; unresting.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 22. A deal on the ’op.
3. (colloquial).—See Hip.
Hopeful (or Young Hopeful), subs. (colloquial).—A boy or young man; in sarcasm or contempt.
1856. Bradley (‘Cuthbert Bede’), Tales of College Life, 24. He’ll be no end riled at seeing his hopeful play truant in this fashion.
Hop- (or Hap-) Harlot, subs. (old).—A coarse coverlet; Cf., Wrap-rascal.