whiffet

[ hwif-it, wif- ]

noun

1. Informal. an insignificant person; whippersnapper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiffet¹

1795–1805, Americanism; whiff ¹ + -et, modeled on whippet

Example Sentences

He was a little whiffet of a man—“looked like a figure on a New Year’s cake,” Bobby Hargrew said.

From Project Gutenberg

I ha’ told him you were at heart nothing but a fresh young whiffet who needed taming, and gi’n he made me keep you here I mysel’ would do the taming with an ax-handle.

From Project Gutenberg

This cinemactor invariably plays the obnoxious, precocious whiffet who upsets plans, causes heartaches by his wilfulness.

From Time Magazine Archive

The man who packed our outfit up the gulch for us had a little whiffet dog with him, and in some manner he neglected to take the dog back with him.

From Project Gutenberg

“You darned little meddlesome whiffet!” snarled Jody Weir savagely, as Lull galloped away.

From Project Gutenberg