IPA: /skælp/
KK: /skælp/
To buy and sell items, especially tickets or stocks, quickly to make a small profit.
He decided to scalp tickets to the concert for a higher price.
Past: scalped
Past Participle: scalped
The skin that covers the top of the human head, often where hair grows.
He had a sunburn on his scalp after spending all day at the beach.
To remove the skin from the top of the head, or to sell something at a higher price than it was bought for, often in a quick manner.
He scalped the tickets for the concert, making a profit.
Past: scalped
Past Participle: scalped
The word 'scalp' originates from Old French 'escalpe' (meaning the skin covering the head) and is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*skalpō' (meaning to cut or to peel). The term refers to the skin on the head, particularly when it is cut or removed.
Think of the Old French word for the skin on the head, which helps you remember that 'scalp' refers to that specific area.