= whipping-topn. at whippingn. Compounds 1b (also figurative).
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society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > top > [noun] > whipping-top
gig1570
scourge-top1627
whip-gig1782
whip-top1801
whipping-top1809
1801 J. StruttGlig-gamena Angel-ðeodiv. iv. §6. 288 We have hitherto been speaking of the whip-top [under the name of ‘top’]; for the peg-top..must be ranked among the modern inventions.
1887 R. L. StevensonMisadv. J. Nicholson iv A man who was a mere whiptop for calamity.