| 释义 |
ˈwhipper-ˌsnapper
[? A jingling extension of *whip-snapper, a cracker of whips (see whip n. 1, snap v. 12), on the model of the earlier snipper-snapper.]
A diminutive or insignificant person, esp. a sprightly or impertinent young fellow. Also rarely applied to a thing.
† In quot. 1674 app. A violent or dangerous person, a ‘rough’: cf. quot. 1589 s.v. whipster 1 a.
1674Head Jackson's Recant. C 2 b, Have a care of Marlbrough Downs, there are a parcel of whipper Snappers have been very busie there of late. a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Whipper-snapper, a very small but sprightly Boy. 1700T. Brown Amusem. xi. 136 A Grave Old Gentleman..thus repremanded our Saucy Whipper-Snapper. 1827Scott Surg. Dau. ii, A whipper-snapper of an attorney's apprentice,..I'll teach him to speak with more reverence of the learned professions. 1840Thackeray Paris Sk.-bk. (1869) 15 Not that he feared such fellows as these—little whipper-snappers—our men would eat them. 1866Mrs. Gaskell Wives & Dau. xxii, A little whipper-snapper of a French watch. 1876Black Madcap Violet xxxviii, It is only the whipper-snapper in criticism who is always crying out for a grand and tremendous motive.
attrib.1742Fielding J. Andrews iv. vi, A Parcel of Whipper-snapper Sparks. 1856C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xxix, A whipper-snapper school-boy. |