jackanapes

[ jak-uh-neyps ]

noun

1. an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; whippersnapper.
2. an impudent, mischievous child.
3. Archaic. an ape or monkey.

jackanapes

/ ˈdʒækəˌneɪps /

noun

1. a conceited impertinent person
2. a mischievous child
3. archaic.
   a monkey

Word History and Origins

Origin of jackanapes¹

1400–50; late Middle English Jakken-apes, literally, jack (i.e., man) of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), Duke of Suffolk, whose badge was an ape's clog and chain

Word History and Origins

Origin of jackanapes¹

C16: variant of Jakken-apes , literally: Jack of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), first Duke of Suffolk, whose badge showed an ape's ball and chain

Example Sentences

The Elon Musk of today seems to be angling for the trophy of World’s Biggest Jackanapes.

From Los Angeles Times

When he bragged that he could raise the dead, some pueblo jackanapes stuffed him in a box, lowered it into the ground and began shoveling earth upon it until Bishop Doctor Professor Money hollered, “For the love of God, let me out!”

From Los Angeles Times

Alas, just as I was winding up this column, I received a package from Jackanapes Press containing Adam Bolivar’s “The Ettinfell of Beacon Hill: Gothic Tales of Boston,” which is said to be terrific.

From Washington Post

Indeed, “those jackanapes Mets,” as the New Yorker’s Roger Angell called them, have long been celebrated for treating baseball as a kind of never-ending fraternity hazing.

From Slate

Other words Mr Bercow has used that other MPs have said extremely rarely, or never, include: "Demosthenian, "Einsteinian, "Flaubert", "Heidegger", "irascibility", "jackanapes", "rhapsodise", "susurrations" and "testicle".

From BBC

Related Words

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