1672.—"These cakes are called Apen by the Malabars."—Baldaeus, Afgoderye (Dutch ed.), 39.
c. 1690.—"Ex iis (the chestnuts of the Jack fruit) in sole siccatis farinam, ex eaque placentas, apas dictas, conficiunt."—Rheede, iii.
1707.—"Those who bake oppers without permission will be subject to severe penalty."—Thesavaleme (Tamil Laws of Jaffna), 700.
[1826.—"He sat down beside me, and shared between us his coarse brown aps."—Pandurang Hari, ed. 1873, i. 81.]
1860.—"Appas (called hoppers by the English) ... supply their morning repast."—Tennent's Ceylon, ii. 161.
HOPPO, s. The Chinese Superintendent of Customs at Canton. Giles says: "The term is said to be a corruption of Hoo poo, the Board of Revenue, with which office the Hoppo, or Collector of duties, is in direct communication." Dr. Williams gives a different account (see below). Neither affords much satisfaction. [The N.E.D. accepts the account given in the quotation from Williams.]
1711.—"The Hoppos, who look on Europe Ships as a great Branch of their Profits, will give you all the fair words imaginable."—Lockyer, 101.
1727.—"I have staid about a Week, and found no Merchants come near me, which made me suspect, that there were some underhand dealings between the Hapoa and his Chaps, to my Prejudice."—A. Hamilton, ii. 228; [ed. 1744, ii. 227]. (See also under [HONG].)
1743.—"... just as he (Mr. Anson) was ready to embark, the Hoppo or Chinese Custom-house officer of Macao refused to grant a permit to the boat."—Anson's Voyage, 9th ed. 1756, p. 355.
1750-52.—"The hoppo, happa, or first inspector of customs ... came to see us to-day."—Osbeck, i. 359.