whippersnapper

IPA/ˈwɪpəsnæpə(r)/
IPA/ˈwɪpərsnæpər/

whippersnapper — noun

  • whippersnappersingular
  • whippersnappersplural

1. a humorous, old-fashioned label for someone young who talks or acts with irritat

1.nounC1
Definition

a humorous, old-fashioned label for someone young who talks or acts with irritating confidence, as if they are wiser than the older people around them.

Example

The colonel snorted and called the young reporter a whippersnapper with no real experience.

call someone a whippersnapper

Ayana's uncle laughed at the whippersnapper trying to tell him how to run his farm.

Common collocations
  • young whippersnapper
  • mere whippersnapper
  • dismiss someone as a whippersnapper
  • call someone a whippersnapper
  • some whippersnapper
Synonyms
  • upstart

    more negative and serious — implies the person has risen too quickly and behaves arrogantly in a new role

  • young pup

    equally informal and old-fashioned, often affectionate rather than dismissive

Antonyms
  • elder

    a person who is older and deserves respect — the opposite social role

  • sage

    a wise person whose judgment is trusted, contrasting with the whippersnapper's untested confidence

Grammar Patterns

a + [adjective] + whippersnapper

dismiss/call someone a whippersnapper

Usage Note

Commonly used by an older speaker addressing or referring to a younger person. The tone is teasing or dismissive rather than genuinely angry. Not usually directed at children — it typically describes teenagers or young adults.

Common Mistakes

The judge gave the whippersnapper a harsh sentence.
The judge gave the young offender a harsh sentence.
'whippersnapper' is too informal and humorous for a courtroom context.
My five-year-old is such a whippersnapper.
My five-year-old is such a cheeky little kid.
'whippersnapper' is not typically used for young children.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe a young person whose behaviour is seen as too confident, but they differ in tone and usage. 'Whippersnapper' is old-fashioned and playful — an older person might use it with a shake of the head and a half-smile, as in 'That young whippersnapper thinks he knows it all.' 'Upstart' is more hostile and serious, implying that the person has risen above their proper station and is now acting arrogantly; it fits criticism about ambition or social climbing, not just cheeky remarks. 'Young pup' (also 'young whipper-snapper' variant) is equally informal but often affectionate — a coach might call a promising rookie a 'young pup' without intending offence. None of the three is appropriate in formal or legal writing.

whippersnapper ↗upstart ↗young pup

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a young whippersnapper
  • some whippersnapper
  • that whippersnapper
  • a mere whippersnapper

Etymology

English

The word first appeared in the late 1600s, possibly as a playful combination of 'whip' (to move or pull quickly) and 'snapper' (someone who snaps or talks back sharply). Originally it described a young person who was quick to speak insolently. By the 1700s it had settled into its modern meaning of a presumptuous youngster, and it has retained a deliberately old-fashioned, humorous flavour ever since.

First known use

1700

1700, in the meaning defined above