Flapper

Quick meaning: Flapper is a noun meaning (colloquial, historical) A young girl usually between the ages of 15 and 18, especially one not "out" socially.

Meaning

(colloquial, historical) A young girl usually between the ages of 15 and 18, especially one not "out" socially.

More Meanings

1. One who or that which flaps.
2. (hunting) A young game bird just able to fly, particularly a wild duck.
3. A flipper; a limb of a turtle, which functions as a flipper or paddle when swimming.
4. (plumbing) A flapper valve.
5. (climbing) Any injury that results in a loose flap of skin on the fingers, making gripping difficult.
6. (colloquial, chiefly historical) A young woman, especially when unconventional or without decorum or displaying daring freedom or boldness; now particularly associated with the Jazz Age of the 1920s.
7. (slang) The hand.

Example Sentences

Stud's eyes roved. Plenty of girls, most of them young flappers, Loretta's age. Only a couple of years ago they were kids.

Concern—and consternation—about the flapper are general. She disports herself flagrantly in the public eye, and there is no keeping her out of grown-up company or conversation.

I paid violent and unusual attention to a flapper all through the meal in order to make you jealous. She's probably in her cabin writing reams about me to a fellow-flapper at this very moment.

Small fish, and frog and fish spawn are also eaten, and the ducklings feed upon many species of animalculæ, flies, pollywogs and worms, etc., disturbed by heavy rains which wash the banks, while the young ducks are passing to the "flapper" stage.

Word Forms

• flappers

Synonyms for flapper

Depending on context, synonyms include flipper.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include girlie, winggirl, girl, flirtigig, filly, lass.

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