The word "flippant" is spelled with a double "p" and a single "n". Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈflɪpənt/. The "f" is pronounced with the lips and the lower teeth while the "l" requires the tongue to touch the upper teeth. The first "p" sound requires a short burst of air while the second "p" is a bit softer. The vowel sound is represented by the "i" followed by the "p" and "ənt". The stress falls on the first syllable, making "flip" the emphasized sound of the word.
Flippant is an adjective that describes someone or something as frivolous, sarcastic, or disrespectful in their attitude, remarks, or behavior. It refers to a lack of seriousness, often shown in an offhand or casual manner. Individuals who are described as flippant tend to make light of serious matters without considering their gravity or consequences.
A flippant person often exhibits an insensitive or dismissive attitude towards important subjects, showing a lack of sensitivity, concern, or thoughtfulness. Their remarks or actions may be perceived as disrespectful, impertinent, or even offensive, as they may make inappropriate jokes or remarks without considering the feelings or impact on others.
Additionally, flippant can also describe a style of speech or writing that is characterized by sarcasm or derision, lacking depth or sincerity. Such remarks or comments may be witty or clever, but can also come across as insincere or insubstantial. It is important to note that being flippant can be subjective, as what one person finds amusing or lighthearted, another may consider disrespectful or inappropriate.
In summary, flippant refers to a casual, light-hearted, often sarcastic or disrespectful attitude or behavior that fails to acknowledge the seriousness or consequences of a situation. It conveys a lack of reverence or deep consideration, which may be perceived as inappropriate or offensive by others.
Talkative; fluent and rapid in speech: pert.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "flippant" originated from the Latin word "flippans", which is the present participle of the verb "flippare" or "flippare", meaning "to jeer" or "to mock". In the late 16th century, the English language adopted the word, and it initially meant "talkative" or "chattering". Over time, the meaning shifted to its current definition, referring to a disrespectful or frivolous attitude.