jackanapes

[ jak-uh-neyps ]
/ ˈdʒæk əˌneɪps /

noun

an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; whippersnapper.
an impudent, mischievous child.
Archaic. an ape or monkey.

Origin of jackanapes

1400–50; late Middle English Jakken-apes, literally, jack (i.e., man) of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), Duke of Suffolk, whose badge was an ape's clog and chain

Example sentences from the Web for jackanapes

British Dictionary definitions for jackanapes

jackanapes
/ (ˈdʒækəˌneɪps) /

noun

a conceited impertinent person
a mischievous child
archaic a monkey

Word Origin for jackanapes

C16: variant of Jakken-apes, literally: Jack of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), first Duke of Suffolk, whose badge showed an ape's ball and chain