uppity

Fanciful extension of up +‎ -y (-denoting a state or quality). First attested in Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris to describe Jack Sparrer (Jack Sparrow) who tattled on Br'er Rabbit (see quotations below). Compare biggity, uppish.

• IPA^(key): /ˈʌpəti/

uppity (comparative uppitier, superlative uppitiest)

1. Presumptuous, above oneself, self-important; arrogant, snobbish, haughty.
   • 1881, Joel Chandler Harris, Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings; the Folk-lore of the Old Plantation‎:

     "Hit wuz wunner dese yer uppity little Jack Sparrers, I speck," said the old man; "dey wuz allers bodder'n' longer udder fokes's bizness

2. Exceeding one's station or position, assuming prerogatives to which one is not entitled.
   • 1993, David Weber, On Basilisk Station (Sci-Fi), Paperback edition, →ISBN, page 141:

     The Association was openly committed to "restoring the historical balance of power intended by our Founders" between the nobility and the uppity commoners […]

• This term has been used in a racist context to describe African-Americans who were considered to be acting above their "rightful place".

• (presumptuous, arrogant): See Thesaurus:arrogant