flipper

flipper n1

= flapjack n 1. esp NEng

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A spatula. Cf egg turner n

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A slingshot; occas, some other implement for the same purpose; see quot 1952. Cf bean-flipper n, flipper crotch n, gravel-flipper n, nigger-flipper n, rubber flipper n, flip n1 1

1880 Deseret News (Salt Lake City UT) 1 Sept 485/3, We have two shotguns, one rifle, two revolvers, one British bulldog and one Salt Lake flipper. . . We did not count much on our flipper till our camp was startled with the word that a ground dog was moving around within a few yards of us, challenging us to shoot him, when our George took deadly aim at him with his reliable flipper, and we registered the first game killed by any of the company. 1885 Kokomo Gaz. Tribune (IN) 28 Apr 1/2, We are glad to note that the city council has taken action on the “flipper” nuisance. . . The birds that should be greeted with a cordial welcome among our city shade trees are unmercifully slaughtered by these rubber “flippers.” 1952 Brown NC Folkl. 1.234, Flippers—These were made from strong, springy wood like hickory or oak. A small limb or the trunk of a small tree was used. They were left round on one end for a handle. The other end was shaped off much like the half of a bow. They were held with one hand, while the other hand was used to hold a small pebble to shoot out for a distance of forty to fifty yards. Small boys used to use them in war games. 1970 Tarpley Blinky 230 neTX, Boy’s weapon made of rubber strips on a forked stick . . 6% [of 200 infs] (nigger) flipper. Ibid 231, An unusual geographical distribution may be seen for (nigger) flipper, a name which appears to be used almost universally in Red River County but which is known in only three other counties. 1971 Bright Word Geog. CA & NV 158, Slingshot . . flipper (crutch) 2% [of 300 infs]. 2005 in 2015 DARE File—Internet UT, We had flippers and flipper crotches. . . And lilacs grew those forks just right. You look just right you could find perfect flipper crotches. And we would get out and I’ll tell you that I got pretty good with those flippers. 2013 Ibid WY, We would hunt sage chickens with a flipper crutch (sling shot). . . One day. . . I let loose with the flipper and the angle was so high that it hit my $70.00 watch that I had received for a graduation gift.

A handspring. Cf flip n1 2, flip-flop n 2

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In marble play: a shooter.

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