Etymology From Middle English poppere, equivalent to pop + -er (suffix forming agent noun). Etymology 1 sense 8 ("capsule of amyl nitrite") is derived from the popping sound when the capsule is broken open; from which etymology 1 sense 9 also derives.
A short piece of twisted string tied to the end of a whip that creates the distinctive sound when the whip is thrown or cracked.
3
Fishing, Hobbies, Lifestyle A floating lure designed to splash when the fishing line is twitched.
4
Either of a pair of interlocking discs commonly used in place of buttons to fasten clothing, a snap fastener.
“Finished the last one at three this morning, apart from bits and bobs and poppers. Quite frankly, I'm dead!”1970, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 124:
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A device that pops kernels of corn to produce popcorn.
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A stuffed and usually breaded jalapeño.
You mix habs into the cheese before stuffing your poppers […]2003, James D. Campbell, Mr. Chilehead: Adventures in the Taste of Pain, page 168:
“Where to, you crazy kids?” “Buffalo Wild Wings. It's all you can eat jalapeno poppers night.”2012 April 25, Erik Richter, “Fools for Love” (20:37 from the start), in Ugly Americans, season 2, episode 17, spoken by Callie Maggotbone (Natasha Leggero):
2 more examples
“What are those things you are always eating?” “Pizza bagels?” “No.” “Pizza rolls?” “No.” “Pizza poppers?” “No.” “Pizzaritos?” “No.” “Pizza pockets?” “That's it.”2018 March 18, Andy Gosche, “Safe House” (8:08 from the start), in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, season 5, episode 12, spoken by Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg):
“Man, how long was I asleep? Those skeeto poppers really knocked me out.”2022 July 13, Danielle Uhlarik, “The Rays That Turn People Into Various Things” (12:58 from the start), in Solar Opposites, season 3, episode 9, spoken by Halk Hogam (Sterling K. Brown):
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A looner (balloon fetishist) who prefers to burst balloons.
Looners (as they call themselves) can generally be divided into two categories, regardless of whether they prefer their balloon play with a partner or alone: poppers and non-poppers.2019, Dennis DiClaudio, The Deviant's Pocket Guide to the Outlandish Sexual Desires Barely Contained in Your Subconscious, page 87:
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Informal A capsule of amyl nitrite, a recreational drug used during sex.
If a person inhales a popper on the brink — the very brink — of climax, then the orgasm is much more powerful.1986, Mary Bringle, The Senator's Daughter, page 55:
Against all this was the counter-rhythm of the hip-flask and the drugs, that steady resorting at every pause for breath, to the swig of the secret drinker; or, high in his excitement, the burst of a popper and then the sucking sound of Cullen inhaling.1986, Stephen Koch, The Bachelors' Bride, page 240:
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Then, suddenly, Vince sagged — light-headed. Too many poppers.1996, Patricia Nell Warren, Harlan's Race, page 58:
Looks like she's had too many poppers.1999, Greg Kramer, Hogtown Bonbons, page 8:
When she heard Tuercas snap open a popper, she raised her own eyes instinctively. / His face was flushed red with the drug as he held the ampule to his nose1999, Ted Mooney, Singing Into the Piano, page 328:
I guess he was tricking with some other hustler a couple of days later and OD'd on one too many poppers—a heart attack in his sleep.2002, Brendan Mullen, Don Bolles, Adam Parfrey, Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and the Germs, page 195:
Ryan knelt up in bed with his knees against Kick's side. "You okay?" Ryan asked. / "Too much popper," he said. “Maybe I have jet lag.2005, Jack Fritscher, Some Dance to Remember: A Memoir-novel of San Francisco, 1970-1982, page 340:
Maybe he has some popper—that's a gay drug, right? Nicholas Nugent should at least have some popper . . . Art, leaning into the gaggle. Nicholas Nugent, shaking his pretty head. No popper. Do you think it's possible to popper yourself gay?2019, Lars Iyer, Nietzsche and the Burbs, page 38:
Again buy your own food - for lunch you get some tomato, some Jambon Fume (proscuitto) and a baguette along with some poppers and your^([sic]) have a feast.1997 September 5, Richard Harrowell, “Advice on Skiing Europe”, in aus.snow (Usenet):