whippersnapper
nounUK /ˈwɪpəˌsnæpə/ · US /ˈʍɪpəɹˌsnæpəɹ/
Etymology Extension of *whip-snapper (“a cracker of whips”), or perhaps from snipper-snapper. Compare also whipperginnie (“term of abuse for a woman”), late 16th c.
1
Colloquial A young and cheeky or presumptuous person; often with a connotation of ignorance via inexperience.
- 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."1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 34:
1 more example
- Eisenhower thought that the President-elect, his junior by over 25 years, was merely a "young whippersnapper."2004, Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage:
- Related terms
- spring chicken, upstart, youngster