puddle-jumper

or pud·dle·jump·er

[ puhd-l-juhm-per ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a light plane, especially one traveling only short distances or making many stops.
2. an old, rickety automobile; flivver.

Word History and Origins

Origin of puddle-jumper¹

First recorded in 1930–35; humorously so called because it is used on routes that include stopovers in small, insignificant places

Example Sentences

Get on the prop and we'll see if the old puddle jumper will take off.

From Project Gutenberg