Flibbertigibbet
/ˌflɪbərtiˈdʒɪbɪt/noun
A frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person.
Did you know?Shakespeare used a related form, and the word’s history is tied to playful sound-symbolism rather than a single ancient root, which is why it feels like verbal magic.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
flibbertigibbet
“A whimsical or frivolous person; later, especially a chatterbox.”
16th Century
English
flibber-de-jib
“An earlier playful, rhyming form with no secure literal meaning.”
16th Century
English
flibber
“An expressive nonsense syllable, likely chosen for its lively sound.”
16th Century
English
gibbet
“A gallows or hanging frame; in this word, the element is not a literal etymological compound in the ordinary sense.”