jackanape

English

Etymology

Back-formation from jackanapes.

Adjective

jackanape (comparative more jackanape, superlative most jackanape)

1. Of or pertaining to a jackanapes.
   • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

     I will teach a scurvy jackanape priest to meddle or make.

Noun

jackanape (plural jackanapes)

1. A jackanapes.

Usage notes

Originally and most commonly, jackanapes is written with a terminal -s, despite being used for the singular. Analyzing the -s as a plural suffix and removing it yields jackanape, which may be proscribed as incorrect, but sees some use.

References

• “Attraction in English”, Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 25, 1893, p. 113