jackanapes

[ jak-uh-neyps ]
See synonyms for jackanapes on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; whippersnapper.

  2. an impudent, mischievous child.

  1. Archaic. an ape or monkey.

Origin of jackanapes

1
1400–50; late Middle English Jakken-apes, literally, jack (i.e., man) of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), Duke of Suffolk, whose badge was an ape's clog and chain

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British Dictionary definitions for jackanapes

jackanapes

/ (ˈdʒækəˌneɪps) /


noun
  1. a conceited impertinent person

  2. a mischievous child

  1. archaic a monkey

Origin of jackanapes

1
C16: variant of Jakken-apes, literally: Jack of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), first Duke of Suffolk, whose badge showed an ape's ball and chain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012