whirligig

[ hwur-li-gig, wur- ]

noun

1. something that whirls or revolves.
2. a whirling motion or course:

   the whirligig of fashion.

3. a giddy or flighty person.
4. Dialect. a merry-go-round or carrousel.
5. a toy for whirling or spinning, as a top.

whirligig

/ ˈwɜːlɪˌɡɪɡ /

noun

1. any spinning toy, such as a top
2. another name for merry-go-round
3. anything that whirls about, spins, or moves in a circular or giddy way

   the whirligig of social life

4. another name for windmill

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirligig¹

First recorded in 1400–50, whirligig is from the late Middle English word whirlegigge. See whirl, gig ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirligig¹

C15: whirlegigge, from whirl + gig ¹

Example Sentences

"We've got damselflies and dragonflies, little water boatmen, whirligig beetles, water scorpions and because of all of them, we get all the birds that feed off them," he says.

From BBC

Now, two teams have independently uncovered key details of how the most agile species—ripple bugs—and the fastest one—whirligigs—strut their stuff even on choppy turbulent water.

From Science Magazine

Using two high-speed cameras synchronized at different angles, the researchers were able to film a whirligig and observe a lift-based thrust mechanism at play.

From Science Daily

He translates the inner pressure of Danny’s mental state into whirligig movements that are mesmerizing to watch.

From Los Angeles Times

Sand was more than a great writer; she was a central figure in the Romantic whirligig that also included Liszt, Chopin and Delacroix.

From Los Angeles Times