English
Etymology
From paper +β dragon. Originated in this sense in c.2021 and popularised on the video-sharing social media service TikTok.
Pronunciation
Noun
paper dragon (plural paper dragons)
- (Internet slang) A hand puppet shaped like the head of a dragon or other animal, usually made from paper or cardboard, with an operational mouth.
2022 April 13, @WBtWNFT, Twitterβ[1]:Toys you make yourself are better than anything you can find in the store. Your dragon puppet is beautiful!β€οΈππ
2023 July 18, @rayadraws, Twitterβ[2]:I made a paper dragon (I'll make a better clip later)
2024 January 6, u/ResourceMost4027, βMy first dragon!β, in r/dragonβ[3], Reddit:Im going to make an ocean / seawing paper dragon, should be done about tomorrow! Edit: Itβs done! Posting soon, thinking of posting on yt and TikTok..