flibbertigibbet

American  

[flib-er-tee-jib-it] / ˈflɪb ər tiˌdʒɪb ɪt /

noun

1. a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

2. Archaic. a gossip.

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flibbertigibbet British  

/ ˈflɪbətɪˌdʒɪbɪt /

noun

1. an irresponsible, silly, or gossipy person

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Etymology

Origin of flibbertigibbet

1425–75; late Middle English flepergebet, flipergebet; reduplicative compound of obscure origin

Explanation

A flibbertigibbet is a very silly chatterbox. If your teacher calls you a flibbertigibbet, she clearly doesn't think you're a serious or scholarly person. The noun flibbertigibbet is a colorful — if slightly old fashioned — word for a ridiculous busybody, someone who talks and gossips a lot but doesn't have much of any substance to say. It's most often used to talk about a frivolous young woman. Flibbertigibbet is a Middle English invention, a word that sounds like meaningless chatter, and it's still used fairly often in Yorkshire, England.

Example Sentences

In King Lear, Shakespeare blamed rust's presence on a "foul fiend" named Flibbertigibbet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Flibbertigibbet set immediately about earning the right to learn the deaf-and-dumb alphabet; she hung out all monitor Number Twelve's washing—dish towels, stockings, handkerchiefs—every other day for two weeks in the bitter December weather.

From Flamsted quarries by Nelson, G. Patrick

Flibbertigibbet looked about her inquiringly; but the girls were silent.

From Flamsted quarries by Nelson, G. Patrick

“Well, Toddlekins, how’s Flibbertigibbet; come and sit on my knee, and I will tell you the story of Mr. Harlequin Puss-in-boots.”

From Wee Wifie by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

Freckles and Flibbertigibbet dared scarcely breathe; it was so much better than the Marchioness of Isola Bella, for this one was real and alive—oh, yes, very much alive!

From Flamsted quarries by Nelson, G. Patrick