jackanape

English

Etymology

Back-formation from jackanapes.

Adjective

jackanape (comparative more jackanape, superlative most jackanape)

  1. Of or pertaining to a jackanapes.

Noun

jackanape (plural jackanapes)

  1. 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
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.