Jackanapes
[jak-uh-neyps] /ˈdʒæk əˌneɪps/
noun
1.
an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; whippersnapper.
2.
an impudent, mischievous child.
3.
Archaic. an ape or monkey.
/ˈdʒækəˌneɪps/
noun
1.
a conceited impertinent person
2.
a mischievous child
3.
(archaic) a monkey
n.
mid-15c., “a monkey,” also “an impertinent, conceited fellow;” apparently from Jack of Naples, but whether this is some specific personification or folk etymology of jack (n.) + ape is unknown. See note in OED.
Read Also:
- Jack and jill
A nursery rhyme. Its first stanza reads: Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down, and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.
- Jack and the beanstalk
A children’s story. Jack, a poor country boy, trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans, which grow into an enormous beanstalk reaching up into the clouds. Jack climbs the beanstalk and finds himself in the castle of an unfriendly giant. The giant senses Jack’s presence and cries, “Fee, fie, fo, fum, I […]
- Jack-arch
noun, Architecture. 1. .
- Jackaroo
[jak-uh-roo] /ˌdʒæk əˈru/ Australian noun, plural jackaroos, verb (used without object), jackarooed, jackarooing. 1. . [jak-uh-roo] /ˌdʒæk əˈru/ Australian noun, plural jackeroos. 1. an inexperienced person working as an apprentice on a sheep ranch. verb (used without object), jackerooed, jackerooing. 2. to work as an apprentice on a sheep ranch. /ˌdʒækəˈruː/ noun (pl) -roos 1. […]
- Jack around
verb phrase [1960s+ Students; origin uncertain; perhaps fr jack off]