Origin and history of tipper

c. 1300, tippen, "knock (something) down, overturn, topple, knock askew" (transitive), a word of uncertain origin, possibly from Scandinavian (compare Swedish tippa "to tip, dump"), or from a special use of tip (v.3). Also compare tilt (v.1) "fall down, topple."

The intransitive sense of "fall over, be overturned" is from mid-15c.; that of "lean or slant from the perpendicular" is by 1660s. The transitive sense of "turn from a perpendicular position, tilt, cant" (a bottle or other solid object) is from 1620s. Related: Tipped; tipping. A register from 1301 contains the nickname Johanna Tippelevedy. 

To tip the scales at "weigh (so much)" is from 1879; by 1891 in the figurative sense of "overcome one consideration by a greater," on the notion of "depress one end of the balance by excess of weight." Tipping point attested by 1972. To tip (one's) hand "reveal one's intentions" is by 1907, an image from poker-playing.

As a noun, "act of tipping or tilting, inclination, fact of being tipped," by 1849. As "place where a wagon, etc. may dump a load" is by 1862.

c. 1500 (implied in tippling), "sell alcoholic liquor by retail," a word of unknown origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source (such as Norwegian dialectal tipla "to drink slowly or in small quantities"). Compare tipper (n.), tippler. The meaning "to drink (alcoholic beverage) in small qualities," also "drink to excess" is attested by 1550s. Related: Tippled. Tippling-house "tavern" is by 1540s.