whippersnapper

• whipper-snapper
• whipper snapper

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]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪpəˌsnæpə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈʍɪpəɹˌsnæpəɹ/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

whippersnapper (plural whippersnappers)

1. (colloquial) A young and cheeky or presumptuous person; often with a connotation of ignorance via inexperience. [from 1670s]

   These whippersnappers have never had to walk far or carry water.

   • 1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 34:

     "Throw me a nine iron Fatman, I want to make sure of getting inside you young whippersnappers."

   • 2004, Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage:

     Eisenhower thought that the President-elect, his junior by over 25 years, was merely a "young whippersnapper."