sassy

Definition

Bold and spirited, often towards someone in authority; cheeky; impudent; saucy.

Etymology

A modification of saucy, equivalent to sass + -y, originally used in American English. First attested in 1799, but in common usage only as of the mid-19th century.

Example Sentences

• "Yes, gemmen, we mus stan on our zarve rights. Wat! shall de sassy wite man Nullifly the Guberment? and shall not we, de color men, Nullifly de wite one?"
• "When the red skins seed that the British and Americans war going to clapper clawing, they thought it war time for them to raze up thar brissls, and look out for plunder. They begun to be a leetle too sassy for cumfirt."
• "Oh, did n't I handle my gun, boys, – / My gun, boys, with shout upon shout? / And did n't the balls rain among us? / And did n't the blood run about? / A shipmate was dashed dead beside me; / The splinters flew – death-yells uprolled; / Oh, sassy that fight of old Erie! / More sassy, though, Perry the Bold!"

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