Who Invented the Word Pipsqueak?
Opinions on the Origin of "Pipsqueak" Vary Quite a Bit. the Late John Ciardi, a Gifted Poet and Etymologist Who Sometimes Went a Bit Too Far out on a Limb...
Opinions on the origin of "pipsqueak" vary quite a bit. The late John Ciardi, a gifted poet and etymologist who sometimes went a bit too far out on a limb, traced the term to a small German artillery shell of World War I. This "pipsqeak" projectile supposedly made a "squeaking" sound before the "pip" of its explosion.
What is the origin of the word pipsqueak?
Pipsqueak is an echoic word, which imitates a sound. Pipsqueak seems to have first appeared in the 1890s. It comes from the words pip, which refers to a small thing, and squeak, a word which signifies the sound that a small bird or animal makes under duress.
What does pipsqueak mean in British?
pipsqueak in British English
(ˈpɪpˌskwiːk ) noun. informal. a person or thing that is insignificant or contemptible. Collins English Dictionary.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
