flibbertigibbet

flibbertigibbet (FLIB-er-tee-jib-it) - n., a silly, scatterbrained, or garrulous person.


Typically used only for women. This dates to Middle English flepergebet, meaning gossip, and got an extended meaning as an imp or minor devil from Shakespeare's use in King Lear. Origin unclear but suspected of being imitative of gossiping.

---L.