popinjays

A popinjay is a historical term for a person who is very vain and conceited, particularly about their dress and appearance. The word often carries a derogatory connotation, implying someone is more concerned with outward show than with substance. Historically, it could also refer to a fop or a dandy.

The term is thought to have originated from the French word "papegai," which meant parrot. Parrots were sometimes trained to speak and were seen as creatures of mimicry, perhaps leading to the association with superficiality and imitation. The image of a brightly feathered, attention-seeking bird might have contributed to the metaphorical use of the term.

In some historical contexts, "popinjay" could also refer to a type of target used in archery, often shaped like a bird. Archers would compete to shoot down these targets, and the act itself was sometimes called "shooting at the popinjay." This practice was popular in parts of Europe, particularly in Scotland, where it was known as "butts" or "clout shooting."

While the primary meaning of popinjay relates to vanity, its dual usage in archery provides an interesting historical footnote. Today, the term is less commonly used, but it remains in the lexicon to describe someone ostentatious and self-important.