jackanapes
a person thought to behave like an ape or monkey, for example, in being impudent,…(A proper name for) a person thought to behave like an ape or monkey, for example, in being impudent, mischievous, vain, etc.; specifically (chiefly humorous), an impudent or mischievous child.
Meaning
4 senses(broadly, dated, derogatory)(A proper name for) a person thought to behave like an ape or monkey, for example, in being impudent, mischievous, vain, etc.; specifically (chiefly humorous), an impudent or mischievous child.
(obsolete)(A proper name for) an ape or monkey, especially a tame one kept for entertainment or as a pet.
(broadly, derogatory, obsolete, rare)A crucifix.
(broadly, obsolete)A small pulley which keeps a rope in line when lifting ore, water, etc., from a mine.
- someone who is unimportant but cheeky and presumptuous
Origin
From Middle English iack napys, iac nape, iac napes (“derogatory nickname of the English mFrom Middle English iack napys, iac nape, iac napes (“derogatory nickname of the English military commander and statesman William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1396–1450)”), probably from Jacun or Jakin (“pet forms of the male name Jack”) + ape (“ape, monkey”) + -s (possibly modelled after surnames such as Hobbes and Jakkes), referring to Suffolk’s heraldic badge which was an ape’s chain and clog (“weight such as a block of wood or log attached to an animal to hinder motion”) (see the image, right). It is uncertain whether the word was first coined as a nickname for Suffolk (the earliest known uses), or to refer to an ape or an ape-like person. If the word was originally a nickname, some early uses of etymology 1 sense 2.1 (“person thought to behave like an ape or monkey”) may allude to Suffolk who was widely regarded as an upstart, having risen from the merchant class.
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Forms
plural: jackanapesesSynonyms
88 synonyms- someone who is unimportant but cheeky and presumptuous:whippersnapperlightweight