We were disscussing this at work and some think it's something perverted and some don't. Which is it?
2007-08-04 08:24:13 · 12 answers · asked by manutsac101 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Definition: An insignificant and cheeky young lad or any lowly person who behaves impudently
Possible origin: Whippersnapper
One of the easiest skills learned by an inexperienced cowboy is that of snapping a black snake whip. Those who couldn't bulldog a steer or rope a maverick prided themselves on being able to strut into a town while calling attention to themselves by snapping their whips. Only youngsters who didn't even carry guns followed this practice. But it was common enough to lead people who never worked a trail herd to adopt whippersnapper as the perfect label for any brash, but unskilled, beginner.
2007-08-04 08:30:32 · answer #1 · answered by Pan_Demic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has come to mean a young person who acts like he/she knows a lot about something but really knows nothing.
And yes, about the only people who still use the phrase are just us "old foggies." Lol
Here is some interesting history on the word. It comes from our early west.
Just about anyone who is called a "whippersnapper" is either a juvenile or a learner who is barely dry behind the ears. One of the easiest skills learned by greenhorn cowboys is that of snapping a black snake whip, or bullwhip. Long ago, lots of young fellows who could not bulldog a steer or rope a maverick prided themselves on being able to strut into town while calling attention to themselves by snapping their whips. Older townsfolk were quick to adopt "whippersnapper" as just the right label for any brash but unskilled beginner.
2007-08-04 15:42:27 · answer #2 · answered by yancychipper 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's an old word that isn't used much any more. An older person would refer to a younger person and I always took it to mean that the younger person had a bit of an attitude. In old John Wayne movies with Gabby Hayes as his sidekick, Gabby often refered to the younger cowboys that were full of it as whippersnappers. I have no idea how to spell it. Ha, it was in spell check. How strange. . .
2007-08-04 15:29:41 · answer #3 · answered by towanda 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's "whippersnapper" to you, sonny, and it has nothing to do with me being Doris the Old Dude's Dominatrix. It is an archaic and jocular term for a young 'un, which many on Yahoo Q and A seem to be.
2007-08-04 15:53:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's not perverted. It's just an archaic term used to describe a little mischievious kid, sort of like "little shaver" or "little bugger" (be careful where you say that last one). You don't hear it much anymore. . . .
2007-08-04 15:33:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Old people use it to say young nieve person more so then what the word really means but here are some links to fallow so you can share with your co-workers.
2007-08-04 15:37:43 · answer #6 · answered by Arizona Chick 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A name for an adolescent. Usually used by old folks.
2007-08-04 15:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that's a word that older generation use to refer to the younger more bratty generation.
2007-08-04 15:28:10 · answer #8 · answered by candib 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A whippersnapper is a a diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person.
2007-08-04 15:27:10 · answer #9 · answered by dcc045 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a very energetic youngin like you little whipersnapper
2007-08-04 15:28:32 · answer #10 · answered by Kelly W 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋