whifflet (hwifl)

[ IMG:content-2300.png:[blocks in formation] 6898 His former transition was in the faire about the Jugglers; now he is at the Pageants among the Whiflers . 21. A herald or usher; a person who leads the way, or prepares the way, for another: probably so called because the pipers (see piper1 , 1) usually led the proce ion. Milton , On Def. of Humb. Remonst. The deep-mouth'd sea, Which like a mighty whiffler ' fore the king Seems to prepare his way. Shak., Hen. V., v., cho., 1. 12. The term [whiffler] is undoubtedly borrowed from whiffle, another name for a fife or small flute; for whifflers were originally those who preceded armies or proce ions as fifers or pipers. F. Douce , Illus. of Shakespeare, p. 311. I can go in no corner but I meet with some of my whiff lers in their accoutrements. Chapman , Monsieur D'Olive, iii. 1. The Whifters of your inferior and Chiefe companies cleere the wayes before him. Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins, p. 43. Before the dame, and round about, March'd whifflers and staff i ers on foot. S. Butler, Hudibras, II. ii. 650. 3. One who whiffles; one who changes frequently his opinion or course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument; a fickle or unsteady person. tin's, and not in Cheap side. Your right whiffler indeed hangs himself in Saint MarDekker and Webster , Northward Ho, ii. 1. Every whifler in a laced coat. shall talk of the constitution. Swift , 4. A puffer of tobacco; a whiffer. Hall i well.— 5. The whistle wing, or goldeneye duck. G. Trumbull, 1888. [Maryland.] whifflery (hwif'ler-i), n. The characteristics or habits of a whiffler; trifling; levity. Life is no frivolity, or hypothetical coquetry or whifflery. Carlyle, in Froude, Life in London, iii.