A popinjay is a person who is vain, talkative, and pretentious, often strutting about and chattering in a manner that resembles a parrot.
Essentially, the term describes someone who:
- Is Vain: Excessively proud of their appearance or accomplishments.
- Is Talkative: Speaks frequently and often without substance.
- Is Pretentious: Tries to appear more important, intelligent, or cultured than they actually are.
- Struts About: Walks with an exaggerated air of self-importance.
Beyond describing a person, "popinjay" also has historical and alternative meanings:
- An Archaic Term for Parrot: Historically, the word was used to refer to a parrot itself.
- A Target in Pole Archery: It refers to a brightly colored bird target used in a sport also known as pole archery. In this sport, participants shoot at wooden bird shapes using rifles or crossbows. This practice is still observed in some communities.
In summary, while the term can refer to a type of target shooting or, historically, to a parrot, it's most commonly used to describe a person characterized by vanity, talkativeness, and pretentious behavior.
