Word of the Day – Jackanapes

Jackanapes (noun)

jak-u-nay-ps

A cheeky or impertinent person.

Early 16th century (originally as Jack Napes): perhaps from a playful name for a tame ape, the initial n- by elision of an ape (compare with newt), and the final -s as in surnames such as Hobbes: applied to a person whose behaviour resembled that of an ape.

Example sentences

“The grinning jackanapes is unstoppable and half mad with power.”