Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr.) terrified, lit. ‘shit-scared’.

1972		J. McClure Caterpillar Cop 81: ‘He was very frightened, boss?’ ‘Poop scared.’.
1975		J. McClure Snake 84: At least they can’t be so poop-scared of him!
1982		P. Slabolepszy Sat. Night at the Palace (1985) 69: No wonder he’s so poep-scared – they catch him for this it’s life!
1991		H. Robertson Under the Sun 33: In the ember hours I retreated poep-scared to my eggshell hiding from the dying of the light.
2004		H. Strachan Make A Skyf, Man! 84: I was poep-scared man, with no idea of where I might end up.
2009		Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) 14 Oct. 🌐 The ANC is poep-scared that if the opposition coalesce they will be out of power.