[? A jingling extension of *whip-snapper, a cracker of whips (see WHIP sb. 1, SNAP v. 12), on the model of the earlier snipper-snapper.] A diminutive or insignificant person, esp. a sprightly or impertinent young fellow. Also rarely applied to a thing.
† In quot. 1674, app. A violent or dangerous person, a ‘rough’: cf. quot. 1589 sv. WHIPSTER 1 a.
1674. Head, Jackson’s Recant., C 2 b. Have a care of Marlbrough Downs, there are a parcel of whipper Snappers have been very busie there of late.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Whipper-snapper, a very small but sprightly Boy.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., xi. 136. A Grave Old Gentleman. thus repremanded our Saucy Whipper-Snapper.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., ii. A whipper-snapper of an attorney’s apprentice,… I’ll teach him to speak with more reverence of the learned professions.
1840. Thackeray, Paris Sk.-bk. (1869), 15. Not that he feared such fellows as these—little whipper-snappers—our men would eat them.
1866. Mrs. Gaskell, Wives & Dau., xxii. A little whipper-snapper of a French watch.
1876. Black, Madcap Violet, xxxviii. It is only the whipper-snapper in criticism who is always crying out for a grand and tremendous motive.
attrib. 1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, IV. vi. A Parcel of Whipper-snapper Sparks.
1856. Miss Yonge, Daisy Chain, I. xxix. A whipper-snapper school-boy.
