jackanape

English

Etymology

Back-formation from jackanapes.

Adjective

jackanape (comparative more jackanape, superlative most jackanape)

Of or pertaining to a jackanapes.
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The Merry VViues of VVindsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene iv]:
  I will teach a scurvy jackanape priest to meddle or make.

Noun

jackanape (plural jackanapes)

A jackanapes.

Usage notes

Originally and most commonly, jackanapes is written with a terminal -s, despite being used for the singular. Analyzing the -s as a plural suffix and removing it yields jackanape, which may be proscribed as incorrect, but sees some use.

References

“Attraction in English”, Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 25, 1893, p. 113

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