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Whippersnapper

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divan | 10:57 Tue 12th Feb 2002 | Phrases & Sayings
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Why are young upstarty types known as whippersnappers?
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Avatar Image incitatus
Its an 18th century contraction (or rather alteration ) of the 16th century term snippersnapper. Which is very unhelpful as the etymology of snippersnapper is doubtful. I veer towards the opinion that it is by refernece to saplings....young trees that are flexible and whip or snap in the breeze....
11:57 Tue 12th Feb 2002
Avatar Image ravenhair
Whippersnappers were first known as "whip snappers" (in the 17th century, I believe); this came from their habit of standing around street corners all day, snapping whips to pass the time. The term was based on "snipper-snapper," which already existed, but in any case, "whip snapper" very quickly became "whippersnapper".
16:53 Tue 12th Feb 2002

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