cutup

[ kuht-uhp ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a prankster or show-off.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutup¹

First recorded in 1775–85; noun use of verb phrase cut up

Example Sentences

She was known in the large family as the goofy one, a cutup since a child when she would perform nightly skits.

From Washington Post

More About Cutup

What does cutup mean?

Cutup is an informal word for someone who’s known for being a jokester or prankster—someone who’s funny and also probably a bit mischievous.

Example: Jane is all business at the office but she’s a real cutup at parties—she’s so funny!

Less commonly, the noun cutup (especially when it’s hyphenated as cut-up) refers to an artwork composed from the arrangement of other separate pieces, especially a poem constructed from other works. This can also be called a cut-up poem. Such a work can be created with what’s called the cut-up technique.

The phrasal verb cut up has several different meanings, including, most straightforwardly, to cut something into smaller pieces. This sense of the phrase is sometimes used in the form of an adjective, in which case it’s hyphenated, as in I always pack some cut-up fruit in the kids’ lunches.

Where does cutup come from?

The first records of the word cutup in reference to a jokester come from around 1780. It comes from the sense of the phrasal verb cut up that means “to behave in a playful or mischievous way.”

As a noun, cutup can also refer to a kind of montage or series of clips that have been edited (cut) together, such as sports highlights or clips from a TV show.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to cutup?

• cut-up (alternate hyphenated spelling)

What are some synonyms for cutup?

• jokester
• joker
• prankster
• clown
• card

What are some words that share a root or word element with cutup? 

• cut up (phrasal verb)
• cut
• up
• screwup

What are some words that often get used in discussing cutup?

• joke
• prank
• funny
• party
• office

How is cutup used in real life?

Cutup is informal. Calling someone a cutup often implies that they are a bit mischievous or irreverent.

That Bard was such a card. A real cutup. A quip for each occasion. 😎 https://t.co/Un0giVIpVa

— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) August 21, 2017

"Let me just check the MLS forms." "That doesn't stand for Major League Soccer, does it?" Guess who the office cutup is! #notme

— Fevin Kik (@fevinkik) March 2, 2011

John, Archives Technician and official office cutup, seems to have found something interesting in the microfilm. What you got there? pic.twitter.com/n3mw7J6Gmt

— This is Archives (@ThisIsArchives) March 28, 2017

Try using cutup!

Which of the following words is a synonym of cutup?

A. joker
B. jokester
C. prankster
D. all of the above