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steve2470

(37,457 posts) Wed Jul 22, 2015, 10:20 AM Jul 2015

Whippersnapper: urban or rural legend, or people use to say that ?

Do some people still say that, being serious ?

I know we joke around and say "you whippersnapper" but did people REALLY say that ?

I never heard it growing up, except in jest.

9 replies

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Whippersnapper: urban or rural legend, or people use to say that ? (Original Post) steve2470 Jul 2015 OP

I say it... I'm in my 30s, and I say it to my niece and nephew. Xyzse Jul 2015 #1

yea I say it in jest steve2470 Jul 2015 #2

That's true. Xyzse Jul 2015 #3

Well, "said in jest" is....saying it. It is a "jest" word. It's like asking of a punchline, "But do WinkyDink Jul 2015 #4

true, but I mean in a truly serious kind of angry way steve2470 Jul 2015 #5

btw, I apologize for snapping at you weeks ago steve2470 Jul 2015 #6

I suspect it's a couple of generations annabanana Jul 2015 #7

yes I think you're right nt steve2470 Jul 2015 #8

It's "you young still wet behind the ears whippersnapper" when I use it. bluedigger Jul 2015 #9

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)

1. I say it... I'm in my 30s, and I say it to my niece and nephew.

Reply to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 11:00 AM

Jul 2015

I think it's funny.

Heck, I use it to describe the 20something and below pop stars and artists, just because I can...

I even used to call the kids, ankle-biters.
Which is awesome.

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

2. yea I say it in jest

Reply to Xyzse (Reply #1)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 11:08 AM

Jul 2015

I've never said it seriously, as in "What's wrong with these damn young whippersnappers today ? Get off my lawn! You, cloud there, stop looking at me!"

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)

3. That's true.

Reply to steve2470 (Reply #2)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 11:33 AM

Jul 2015

I am sure I'll use it one day... Maybe.

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)

4. Well, "said in jest" is....saying it. It is a "jest" word. It's like asking of a punchline, "But do

Reply to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 12:47 PM

Jul 2015

people say it seriously?"

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

5. true, but I mean in a truly serious kind of angry way

Reply to WinkyDink (Reply #4)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 12:49 PM

Jul 2015

I've never known anyone to say it in an irritated or angry way. Only in jest.

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

6. btw, I apologize for snapping at you weeks ago

Reply to WinkyDink (Reply #4)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 12:54 PM

Jul 2015

My irritation was misdirected that day, so my apologies.

annabanana

(52,791 posts)

7. I suspect it's a couple of generations

Reply to steve2470 (Original post)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 01:16 PM

Jul 2015

removed from a genuine expletive

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/whipper-snapper.html

'Whipper snappers' were known by various names, all of them derived from the habit of young layabouts of hanging around snapping whips to pass the time. Originally these ne'er-do-wells were known simply, and without any great linguistic imagination, as 'whip snappers'. This term merged with an existing 17th century term for street rogues - 'snipper snappers', to become 'whipper snapper'. Christopher Marlowe mentions 'snipper snapper' in the 1604 edition of The Tragicall History of Doctor Faustus, when referring to a 'hey-pass', which is what street jugglers were known as in Marlowe's day.

But I'll seeke out my Doctor... O yonder is his snipper snapper... You, hey-pass, where's your master?

The meaning of 'whipper snapper' has altered over the years, originally referring to a young man with no apparent get up and go, to be applied to a youngster with an excess of both ambition and impudence

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

8. yes I think you're right nt

Reply to annabanana (Reply #7)

Wed Jul 22, 2015, 01:22 PM

Jul 2015

bluedigger

(17,087 posts)

9. It's "you young still wet behind the ears whippersnapper" when I use it.

Reply to steve2470 (Original post)

Thu Jul 23, 2015, 02:41 PM

Jul 2015

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