All we know for sure is that scupper meant "to ambush and massacre" in 19th-century military slang and developed its extended uses of "defeat" and "do in" in the early-mid 20th century.

SCUPPER definition: a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges. See examples of scupper used in a sentence.

scupper verb [T] (SPOIL) to cause something such as a plan or an opportunity to fail:

1. To sink (a ship) deliberately; scuttle. 2. To thwart or ruin: scupper a business deal. 3. Chiefly British To overwhelm or massacre.

Attempts to escape through the windows were scuppered by the grills that covered them. He did not specify who was attempting to scupper the accord. Members of these benches chose to try to …

Feb 5, 2025 · Scuppers provide a pathway for water to flow through parapet walls or any other raised edge around a roof, such as gravel stop edge metal. They are commonly used in both primary and …

A scupper is an opening in the side walls of a vessel or an open-air structure, which allows water to drain instead of pooling within the bulwark or gunwales of a vessel, or within the curbing or walls of a …

Jul 17, 2025 · A roof scupper is an opening built into the perimeter wall or parapet of a roof that allows rainwater to exit. The water flows through the scupper and is either directed into a downspout, …

Sep 18, 2025 · Understanding scuppers helps prevent ponding, leaks, and structural damage. Scuppers provide a direct path for water to leave a roof and are often paired with downspouts, scupper boxes, …

A scupper with a spout extends the opening outward to direct water further away from the roof and walls. This reduces the risk of water splashing back onto the building’s exterior, keeping your foundation …