whiffler

¹ American  

[hwif-ler, wif-] / ˈʰwɪf lər, ˈwɪf- /

noun

1. a person who frequently shifts opinions, attitudes, interests, etc.

2. a person who is vacillating or evasive in an argument.

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whiffler ² American  

[hwif-ler, wif-] / ˈʰwɪf lər, ˈwɪf- /

noun

History/Historical.

1. an attendant who clears the way for a procession.

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whiffler ¹ British  

/ ˈwɪflə /

noun

1. a person who whiffles

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whiffler ² British  

/ ˈwɪflə /

noun

1. archaic an attendant who cleared the way for a procession

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Etymology

Origin of whiffler¹

First recorded in 1600–10; whiffle + -er ¹

Origin of whiffler²

First recorded in 1530–40; earlier wiffler “armed attendant,” equivalent to wiffle (variant of Middle English wifle, Old English wifel “battle-ax”) + -er ¹. The spelling with wh probably arose by asociation with whiff ¹ ( def. ).

Example Sentences

My wife and I had a great quarrel on this occasion; she pretended that he came only to give her some ribbons, as he had been a whiffler in the procession.

From Project Gutenberg

In his day he had been esteemed the most graceful whiffler in the world: now he used only the heavy sword, because he was himself grown heavy.

From Project Gutenberg

It represents a Dragon or monster with hideous jaws, supported by men concealed, all but their legs, within its capacious belly, and carried about in civic processions prior to the year 1835; even now it is seen on Guy Fawkes’ day, the 5th of November.—Whiffler:

From Project Gutenberg

Behold, the English beach Pales in the flood with men, with wives and boys, Whose shouts and claps out-voice the deep-mouthed sea, Which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king Seems to prepare his way: so let him land, And solemnly see him set on to London.

From Project Gutenberg

Yesterday down came Mr. Superintendent Whiffler, from Dunderbunk, up the North River, to say, that, “unless something be done, at once, the Dunderbunk Foundry and Iron-Works must wind up.”

From Project Gutenberg