- scalp (n.)
- c.1300, presumably from a Scandinavian source (though exact cognates are wanting) related to Old Norse skalli "bald head," skalpr "sheath," from the source of scale (n.2). French scalpe, German, Swedish skalp are from English.
- scalp (v.)
- "to cut off (someone's) scalp," 1670s, from scalp (n.), originally in reference to North American Indians. For ticket sense, see scalper. Related: Scalped; scalping.