WHIFFLER • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • 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

... a favorite spot of Wade's. Many a twilight of last summer, tired with his fagging at the Works to make good the evil of Whiffler's rule, he had lain there on the rocks under the hemlocks, breathing the spicy methyl they poured into the air. After his day's hard fight, in the dust and heat of the Foundry, with anarchy and unthrift, ...

— Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 9, No. 52, February, 1862 • Various

... 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

... moving under the sign of the 'Checquers,' or the 'Three Brewers,' with mace—yes, with mace,—the mace appears in the picture issuing out of the Norman arch behind the mayor,—but likewise with Snap, and with whiffler, quart pot, and frying-pan, Billy Blind and Owlenglass, Mr. Petulengro and Pakomovna;—then, had he clapped his own legs upon the mayor, or any one else in the concourse, what matter? But I repeat that I have no hope of making ...

— Lavengro - The Scholar, The Gypsy, The Priest • George Borrow