A frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person.
Someone who is silly, scatterbrained, or prone to chattering incessantly about trivial matters. The word often carries a playful or affectionate tone when describing someone's carefree, whimsical nature.
Origin: Middle English (15th century)
The word "flibbertigibbet" has a delightfully whimsical history that matches its meaning. It first appeared in Middle English around the 15th century, initially referring to a chattering or gossiping person.
The term was notably used by Shakespeare in "King Lear" (1605), where it appears as the name of a devil. Over time, the word evolved from its darker connotations to describe someone who is simply scatterbrained or frivolous.
The word's construction likely comes from onomatopoeia—its bouncy, rhythmic syllables mimic the rapid, aimless chatter it describes. This makes "flibbertigibbet" a perfect example of a word whose sound captures its meaning.