popinjay

American  

[pop-in-jey] / ˈpɒp ɪnˌdʒeɪ /

noun

1. a person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter; coxcomb; fop.

2. British Dialect. a woodpecker, especially the green woodpecker.

3. Archaic. the figure of a parrot usually fixed on a pole and used as a target in archery and gun shooting.

4. Archaic. a parrot.

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popinjay British  

/ ˈpɒpɪnˌdʒeɪ /

noun

1. a conceited, foppish, or excessively talkative person

2. an archaic word for parrot

3. the figure of a parrot used as a target

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Etymology

Origin of popinjay

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English papejay, popingay, papinjai(e), from Middle French papegai, papingay “parrot,” ultimately from Arabic bab(ba)ghā', probably imitative of the bird's cry

Explanation

A popinjay is a self-centered chatterbox. The word popinjay isn't used much these days, which is too bad — it could describe plenty of people who talk too much. A popinjay is a person who's both talkative and cocky, who struts around chattering like a parrot. Fittingly, it's also an old-fashioned word meaning parrot, and the name of a sport also known as pole archery, in which players shoot at wooden bird shapes with either rifles or crossbows. The origin of popinjay is unknown, but one guess is that its roots are imitative, meant to sound like the cry of a bird.

Example Sentences

Feb. 14, 1964 Stockholm's classy Moderna Museet knocked itself blue putting on a giant show celebrating American Popinjay Andy Warhol, 36.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stockholm's classy Moderna Museet knocked itself blue putting on a giant show celebrating American Popinjay Andy Warhol, 36.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Yes sir ” “Good. What did—” “I’m Popinjay, sir.”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Sara's mind was distracted toward the close of this explanation by the peculiar, not to say angry, behavior of the Popinjay and the Squawk, who, she was sure, had become displeased about something.

From The Garden of the Plynck by Minard, Florence

Indeed, Popinjay Parlour was the family title of this delightful abode; but it might almost as well have been called Mother Carey's bower.

From Magnum Bonum by Yonge, Charlotte Mary