Flapper
/ˈflæp.ər/noun
A young woman, especially one in the 1920s, known for fashionable, unconventional behavior; also, something that flaps.
Did you know?The modern slang sense of **flapper** emerged in the early 20th century, likely from the image of a young bird flapping its wings, giving a surprisingly physical origin to a symbol of social rebellion.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
flappian
“to strike or flap”
Middle English
ME
flappe
“a flap or a blow; also to move or beat with a flapping motion”
Early Modern English
English
flapper
“something that flaps; later, a young bird that flaps its wings”
Late 19th Century
English
flapper
“a lively, immature girl or young woman”
1920s
English
flapper
“a fashionable young woman associated with modernity, short skirts, bobbed hair, and social independence”
Modern English
English
flapper
“a person or thing that flaps, or a historical term for a 1920s style-setter”
Explore more surprising origins