What it means
Nippy pulls a few jobs. Most often it means properly chilly, that sharp little cold that bites your face the second you step outside. It also gets used for someone quick and darting in movement, like a nippy winger or a nippy worker. With dogs, it can mean they're a bit prone to snapping or mouthing.
Usage examples
"Bit nippy this morning, innit. Put a jumper on, then watched Zara do a nippy turn on the pitch and rinse their full-back."
"Proper nippy on the walk to the bus stop this morning in Glasgow, the breath came out in clouds, and the lady at the corner shop already had the kettle on for the milk delivery driver who arrives wearing only a polo shirt year round."
"Our new striker is dead nippy on the left wing, beat their full-back twice in the opening ten minutes at the Saturday match, and the manager was already on his feet shouting tactics to the bench before half time even came around."
"It's a bit nippy out, grab your coat unless you fancy your ears falling off at the bus stop."
"That winger's well nippy, got the ball, skipped past two lads, and was gone before anyone clocked it."
Where it comes from
Recorded in English since the late 1300s, nippy grew out of nip, first meaning inclined to bite or snap. By the 1800s in Britain it was also being used for weather that feels sharp and biting. From that same stingy little image, it widened into brisk, quick movement too.
Other ways to say it
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