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noun

whippersnapper

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Whippersnapper (noun) means a cocky young person who acts with more confidence than their experience deserves.

noun
1
A cocky young person who acts with more confidence than their experience deserves.
"These whippersnappers have never had to walk far or carry water."
""Throw me a nine iron Fatman, I want to make sure of getting inside you young whippersnappers."" — Paul Vautin, Turn It Up! (1995)
"Eisenhower thought that the President-elect, his junior by over 25 years, was merely a "young whippersnapper."" — Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage (2004)
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Etymology

An extension of *whip-snapper (“a cracker of whips”), or perhaps derived from snipper-snapper. Compare also whipperginnie (“term of abuse for a woman”), late 16th century.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of whippersnapper?
"whippersnapper" (noun) means a cocky young person who acts with more confidence than their experience deserves.
What is another word for whippersnapper?
Other words for "whippersnapper" include lightweight, jackanapes.

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