Xanthippe

American  

[zan-tip-ee] / zænˈtɪp i /

Or Xantippe

noun

1. flourished late 5th century b.c., wife of Socrates.

2. a scolding or ill-tempered wife; a shrewish woman.

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Xanthippe British  

/ zænˈtɪpɪ, zænˈθɪpɪ /

noun

1. the wife of Socrates, proverbial as a scolding and quarrelsome woman

2. any nagging, peevish, or irritable woman

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Example Sentences

Both Jenna and Liz use this phrase liberally throughout 30 Rock, and Kimmy does as well when she argues with Xanthippe during a party.

From Newsweek • Mar. 15, 2015

First off, Xanthippe, Jacqueline’s angsty and challenging Daria-esque stepdaughter, is named for the ancient Greek character described to be antagonist.

From Newsweek • Mar. 15, 2015

Mary Todd Lincoln, he suggests, was no neurotic Xanthippe forever needling her husband.

From Time Magazine Archive

These influences get their longest airing in a novella with the intimidating title Puttermesser and Xanthippe.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Socrates, dear," Xanthippe would say at times, "please take me to the theatre to-night; I do so want to see that new tragedy by Euclydides."

From Second Book of Tales by Field, Eugene