dapper

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdæpə/ (UK); /ˈdæpəɹ/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English daper (“elegant”),^[2][3][4][5] probably borrowed from Middle Dutch dapper (“quick, strong”),^[2][4][5] or Middle Low German, where it meant “bold, sturdy” and later “quick, nimble”.^[3] It is related to German tapfer “brave”.^[3][5] Etymonline suggests an ironical shift of meaning.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first described people as neat, trim and smart in dress or appearance.^[3][6]

Semantic evolution

From about 1600 it was applied especially to a small person who is brisk and lively in movement.^[3][6] The OED notes the word was formerly appreciative but is now more or less depreciative, with associations of littleness.^[6][3]

Timeline

• c. 1440 – neat, trim;^[6] Etymonline says mid-15th century.^[3]
• 1579 – of animals and things.^[6]
• 1606 – little and active.^[6]
• 1709 – noun, a dapper fellow (obsolete).^[6]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Neatly and smartly dressed.
2. Lively and brisk; small and active.

Word family

• dapperly
• dapperness
• undapper

References

1. [1] Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. [1] [2] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. [1] [2] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. [1] [2] [3] Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
6. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press