WHIFFLER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Whiffler

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noun

Whiffler n.

One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument; hence, a trifler. "Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate house shall talk of the constitution."

One who plays on a whiffle; a fifer or piper. (Obs.)

An officer who went before procession to clear the way by blowing a horn, or otherwise; hence, any person who marched at the head of a procession; a harbinger. "Which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king, Seems to prepare his way." Note: "Whifflers, or fifers, generally went first in a procession, from which circumstance the name was transferred to other persons who succeeded to that office, and at length was given to those who went forward merely to clear the way for the procession.... In the city of London, young freemen, who march at the head of their proper companies on the Lord Mayor's day, sometimes with flags, were called whifflers, or bachelor whifflers, not because they cleared the way, but because they went first, as whifflers did."

(Zool.) The golden-eye. (Local, U. S.)

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Etymology of 'Whiffler'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Whiffler" Quotes from Famous Books

... companions. He confesseth vices that he is guiltless of, if they be in fashion; and dares not salute a man in old clothes, or out of fashion. There is not a public assembly without him, and he will take any pains for an acquaintance there. In any show he will be one, though he be but a whiffler or a torch-bearer, and bears down strangers with the story of his actions. He handles nothing that is not rare, and defends his wardrobe, diet, and all customs, with intituling their beginnings from princes, great soldiers, and strange nations. He dare speak more than he understands, ...

— Character Writings of the 17th Century • Various

... presented. Now we beare the King Toward Callice: Graunt him there; there seene, Heaue him away vpon your winged thoughts, Athwart the Sea: Behold the English beach Pales in the flood; with Men, Wiues, and Boyes, Whose shouts & claps out-voyce the deep-mouth'd Sea, Which like a mightie Whiffler 'fore the King, Seemes to prepare his way: So let him land, And solemnly see him set on to London. So swift a pace hath Thought, that euen now You may imagine him vpon Black-Heath: Where, that his Lords desire ...

— The First Folio [35 Plays] • William Shakespeare

... together a little on this subject—be it a young conscience, or love, or thyself, Jack, thou seest that I am for giving every whiffler audience. But this must be the last debate on this subject; for is not her fate in a manner at its crisis? And must not my next step be an irretrievable one, tend ...

— Clarissa, Volume 6 (of 9) - The History Of A Young Lady • Samuel Richardson

... little account was settled, that the Captain declared himself satisfied d'avance, and straightway left the Wells without paying Harry or any other creditor. Also he had an occasion to show his spirit by beating a chairman who was rude to old Miss Whiffler one evening as she was going to the assembly: and finding that the calumny regarding himself and that unlucky opera-dancer was repeated by Mr. Hector Buckler, one of the fiercest frequenters of the Wells, Mr. Warrington stepped up to Mr. Buckler in the ...

— The Virginians • William Makepeace Thackeray