Word of the Day

Saturday, September 30, 2000

flippant

\FLIP-uhnt\ , adjective;

Lacking proper seriousness or respect; showing inappropriate levity; pert.

Quotes:

In the mid-1950s we both wrote for the same weekly, where her contributions were a good deal more serious and less flippant than mine.

-- Anthony Howard and Jason Cowley, "Decline and Fall", New Statesman, March 13, 2000

The conversations had grown more adult over the years--she was less flippant, at least.

-- Sylvia Brownrigg, The Metaphysical Touch

Origin:

Flippant probably comes from flip. The noun form is flippancy.