flipper

[flip-er] /ˈflɪp ər/
noun
1.
a broad, flat limb, as of a seal or whale, especially adapted for swimming.
2.
Also called fin. one of a pair of paddlelike devices, usually of rubber, worn on the feet as an aid in scuba diving and swimming.
3.
Theater. a narrow flat hinged or attached at right angles to a larger flat.
4.
Slang. the hand.
5.
someone or something that flips.
Origin
1815-25; flip1 + -er1

flip3

[flip] /flɪp/
adjective, flipper, flippest. Informal.
1.
flippant; pert.
Origin
1840-50; adj. use of flip1
Examples from the web for flipper
  • On the other hand, the slender bones of the skull and flipper suggest a more graceful profile.
  • The bumps on a whale's flipper help form vortices that generate more lift, more smoothly.
  • It starts the moment that the lowliest burger-flipper joins up.
  • Cook the flipper with bone in to lend extra goodness.
  • The bumps on a humpback's flipper prevent the beast from stalling as it turns.
  • If all else fails or you're not the flipper, choose the side that starts facing up.
  • The flipper armed henchman is not holding a mace or standing next to the file cabinet.
  • He measured the specimen and collected and froze the head, one flipper and the flukes.
  • The alleged flipper was photographed in different positions, indicating movement.
British Dictionary definitions for flipper

flipper

/ˈflɪpə/
noun
1.
the flat broad limb of seals, whales, penguins, and other aquatic animals, specialized for swimming
2.
(often pl) Also called fin. either of a pair of rubber paddle-like devices worn on the feet as an aid in swimming, esp underwater
3.
(cricket) a ball bowled with backspin imparted by the action of the bowler's wrist

flip

/flɪp/
verb flips, flipping, flipped
1.
to throw (something light or small) carelessly or briskly; toss: he flipped me an envelope
2.
to throw or flick (an object such as a coin) so that it turns or spins in the air
3.
to propel by a sudden movement of the finger; flick: to flip a crumb across the room
4.
(foll by through) to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly, idly, or incompletely
5.
(intransitive) (of small objects) to move or bounce jerkily
6.
(intransitive) to make a snapping movement or noise with the finger and thumb
7.
(intransitive) (slang) to fly into a rage or an emotional outburst (also in the phrases flip one's lid, flip one's top, flip out)
8.
(intransitive) (slang) to become ecstatic or very excited: he flipped over the jazz group
noun
9.
a snap or tap, usually with the fingers
10.
a rapid jerk
11.
a somersault, esp one performed in the air, as in a dive, rather than from a standing position
12.
same as nog1 (sense 1)
adjective
13.
(informal) impertinent, flippant, or pert
Word Origin
C16: probably of imitative origin; see fillip
Word Origin and History for flipper
n.

"limb used to swim with," 1822, agent noun from flip (v.). Sense of "rubber fin for underwater swimming" is from 1945. Slang meaning "the hand" dates from 1836. Related: Flippers.

flip

v.

1590s (1520s in flip-flop), imitative or else a contraction of fillip (q.v.), which also is held to be imitative. Sense of "get excited" is first recorded 1950; flip one's lid "lose one's head, go wild" is from 1950. For flip (adj.) "glib," see flippant. Meaning "to flip a coin" (to decide something) is by 1879. As a noun by 1690s. Related: Flipped. Flipping (adj.) as euphemism for fucking is British slang first recorded 1911 in D.H. Lawrence. Flip side (of a gramophone record) is by 1949.

n.

sailors' hot drink usually containing beer, brandy and sugar, 1690s, from flip (v.); so called from notion of it being "whipped up" or beaten.

flipper in Science
flipper
  (flĭp'ər)   
A wide, flat limb adapted for swimming, found on aquatic animals such as whales, seals, and sea turtles. Flippers evolved from legs.
Slang definitions & phrases for flipper

flipper

noun
  1. A hand; flapper: I manfully gripped his flipper (1832+)
  2. Traders who buy initial public offerings as the market opens and sell them when vigorous trading begins: It's been a boom year for initial public offerings, just the right environment for ''flippers'' (1990s+ Stock market)
  3. A person who buys real estate and then turns around and quickly tries to sell it for a profit

flip 1

adjective

Flippant; impudent; cheeky: Mr Lawrence is flip and easy/ Someone else thought he was too flip at press conferences (1847+)


flip 2

noun

Something that causes hilarity or pleasure: The big flip of the year is Peter Arno's book of cartoons (1950+)

verb
  1. To change or switch diametrically; flip-flop: So I flipped over to the opposite opinion (1900s+)
  2. To respond enthusiastically; feel great excitement and pleasure: ''They flipped over it,'' Riveroll recalls/ I flip over this record (1950+)
  3. To cause one to respond with enthusiasm; give one great pleasure: My imitation of Mr Kissinger flipped the assemblage (1950+)
  4. To become angry: When he told me what he had done, I flipped (1940s+)
  5. To go insane; behave irrationally; flip out: I was flipping at first but then the marvelous vibes got to me (1950s+ Cool talk)
  6. To become an informer; fink out, sing: Someone had tipped the police off to where they should look: a suspect who had been persuaded to flip, become a government informant, on the night of his arrest/ It was the easiest flip Stone ever made. The man rolled over like a puppy (1980s+ Police)
  7. To vomit: Many jockeys have to ''flip'' (regurgitate) their meals to make weight (1980s+)
  8. To exchange one for another; trade in: You buy one, get it out of your system, flip it for a gray Lexus or Infiniti (1990s+)