hop-o'-my-thumb

noun

: a very small person

Word History

Etymology

earlier hop on my thumb, imperative issued to one supposedly small enough to be held in the hand

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hop-o'-my-thumb was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near hop-o'-my-thumb

Cite this Entry

“Hop-o'-my-thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hop-o%27-my-thumb. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on hop-o'-my-thumb

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!