# popinjay

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɒpɪnd͡ʒeɪ/

## Definitions
1. A parrot.
2. A decorative image of a parrot on a tapestry, cloth etc.
3. A vain, gaudy person; someone who is shallow or superficial.
4. A target to shoot at, typically stuffed with feathers or plumage.
5. The green woodpecker, Picus viridis.

## Etymology
From Middle English popinjay, popyngeay, popingay, popejay, from Anglo-Norman papegai, papejoie et al., (northern) Old French papejai (“parrot”), probably from Old Occitan papagay (compare Occitan papagai, Catalan papagai), ultimately from Arabic بَبْغَاء (babḡāʔ, “parrot”), of imitative origin.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/popinjay