noun

flibbertigibbet

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Flibbertigibbet (noun) means an unconventional, restless person, especially a young woman.

noun

An unconventional, restless person, especially a young woman.

"All this responsibility at such an early age made her a bitchy flibbertigibbet." — Kurt Vonnegut Jr (1969)

Someone seen as silly or scatterbrained, especially one who chatters or gossips a lot.

"“Thou flibbertigibbet,” cried Catwezle, who had been listening, “all is clear as springwater. This Rapkyn was a sorcerer!”" — Richard Carpenter, Catweazle (1970)

"‘Ignorant girls. Dizzy young things. It seems to be my fate always to be landed with these flibbertigibbets.’" — Jennifer Worth, Farewell to the East End (2009)

A mischievous spirit or demon.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

Comes from late Middle English [Term?], first attested in 1549 and probably imitative of the nonsense uttered by gossips. From around 1603 it was also used for an imp or fiend and as a name of the Devil. Alternatively, but far less likely, it may be an alteration of flibbergib ("toady, sycophant"), possibly from a hypothetical Old Norse *fleipra-geipa(re) ("babbler of nonsense"), a compound of fleipra (a variant of fleipa ("to babble, tattle")) and geipa ("to talk nonsense, to boast") or geipare ("one who speaks nonsense, braggart"). fleipa is also the ancestor of the flip- part of English flippant. Note that flibbergib originally meant "chatterer".

Rhymes for flibbertigibbet

gibbet

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of flibbertigibbet?

"flibbertigibbet" (noun) means an unconventional, restless person, especially a young woman.

What are the different meanings of flibbertigibbet?

"flibbertigibbet" has 3 main meanings: 1. An unconventional, restless person, especially a young woman; 2. Someone seen as silly or scatterbrained, especially one who chatters or gossips a lot; 3. A mischievous spirit or demon.