slip-slop, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

slip-slop n.

[SE slip-slop, any form of sloppy mixture, whether food or drink]

1. kissing [echoic of the exchange of spittle].

1700

N. Ward London Spy XVI 333: Such a wonderful Mess of Slip-Slop lick’d up between Brother Bat and Sister Bet.

2. in pl., as a drink.

(a) a non-alcoholic drink taken for medicinal purposes.

1668		J. Wilson (trans.) Erasmus Moriae Encomium (1509) 32: Take away this Salt of life, and the Orator may ev'n sit still with his action [...] and the Physitian, with all his Slip-slops, go a begging.
1786		W. Cowper Letters and Prose (1981) II 441: The remedy is certainly a most detestable affair, but when taken early in the morning, without slip-slops, is attended with less labour.
c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: Slipslops. Tea, Water Gruel, or any Innocent Beverage taken Medicinally.
1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (3rd edn) n.p.: Slipslops. Tea, water-gruel, or any innocent beverage taken medicinally.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1796].
c.1850		Peeping Tom (London) 29 115/1: As to the doctors [...] what do all their slip-slops signify.

(b) any form of soft drink, esp. tea; also attrib.

1770		G.A. Stevens Court of Alexander I:i: Shall he, who conquers Nations, / Fribblish submit to such slip-slop Potations? / In spite of Water-bibbers, you and I know, / We must be true to Wine.
1773		Harris’s List of Covent-Garden Ladies 102: Women [...] generally poison themselves by drams, or throw themselves into consumptions with slip-slops.
1781		Hicky’s Bengal Gaz. 22-29 Sept. n.p.: Eat a hearty breakfast (not of Slip Slop Tea).
1781		‘song’ in Bullfinch 269: When good Queen Elizabeth sat on the throne, / Ere coffee, or tea, or such slip-slops were known.
1821		W. Combe Doctor Syntax, Wife (1868) 245/2: At length the coffee was announced [...] ‘And since the meagre slip-slop’s made, I think the call should be obeyed.’.

1830

Mr Mathews’ Comic Annual 8: You may give me a little of the slippy sloppy.

3. nonsense, mawkishness.

1827

High Life in London 23 Dec. 5/1: Gracious Heavens! to what degree of slip-slopwill The Morning Herald descend next? We suppose it will shortly inform us whether her Grace - prefers crumpets or muffins.

4. (S.Afr., also slop) a thong sandal [the noise it makes as one walks].

1970		informant in DSAE (1996).
1989		J. Hobbs Thoughts in a Makeshift Mortuary 224: Does he wear slip-slops?
1996		CyberBraai Lex. at www.matriots.com 🌐 SLIP SLOPS: Getting back to the beach for a moment, these are the rubber thongs or sandals you wear, keeping them on your feet with a thin strap which causes blisters between your big toe and its partner.
2003		‘SA English’ on Joburg.org.za 🌐 Slip slops, slops – Sandals or rubber thongs worn to the beach. These usually have a thin strap between the big toe and the toe next to it. Not to be worn with socks!
2005		P. van Maasdyk Never Go Trekking 33: Flea had seen too many sherpas trudging along happily with only a pair of slip-slops between their feet and the harsh surface of the earth.