Skipper

Skipper is a term with several related uses, most commonly denoting the captain of a vessel. In nautical English, a skipper is the person in ultimate command of a boat or ship, responsible for navigation, safety, crew management, and compliance with laws and regulations. The word derives from the Dutch schipper, meaning ship master, and entered English in the early modern period.

On small craft, the skipper is frequently the owner or operator; in racing or recreational sailing, the term emphasizes the decision-maker in the helm. In commercial contexts, the captain may be the master, but many sailors still use "skipper" informally.

Other uses include a group of butterflies known as skippers (family Hesperiidae), named for their swift, darting flight. Skippers are generally small, stout-bodied, with hooked antennae and a rapid flight pattern that differentiates them from most other butterflies.

In popular culture, Skipper is a proper name or nickname. The Skipper is a character in Gilligan's Island, the ship's captain Jonas Grumby. Skipper is also the name of Barbie's younger sister, introduced in 1964. The term is also used in British English to refer to a team's captain across various sports.