Just wondering if there's a history behind the term.
2007-08-30 09:16:15 · 6 answers · asked by double_o_shelbo 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It probably had something to do with snapping a whip. 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.
2007-08-30 09:25:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person regarded as insignificant and pretentious.
Origin - 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.
2007-08-30 09:25:38 · answer #2 · answered by Max 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'll give it a shot! WHIPPER....a little kid...probably a boy, or little man, that's hyper, or fast & stingy or, ie runs past ya real fast & pinches ya hard & is gone before you can say ouch. And SNAPPER...means he's skinny & kinda rough & sounds like a whip being slashed-out & back real fast. It's an old, old, slang description, maybe when called it, it really didnt mean much more than a...."STINKER" so to speak!
2007-08-30 09:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It dates back to the turn of the 19th century, when the wagon trains were moving west. One of the jobs a young boy was given was to walk along side the team of oxen pulling the wagon, carrying a whip and "snapping" the whip to move the animals along... so they became known as "whip(per) snappers"
2007-08-30 09:25:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whippersnapper
One entry found for whippersnapper.
Main Entry: whip·per·snap·per
Pronunciation: 'hwi-p&r-"sna-p&r, 'wi-
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of snippersnapper
: a diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person
2007-08-30 09:27:11 · answer #5 · answered by Brad V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the old buggy whip, got the horse moving,a motivator
2007-08-30 09:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋