Popinjay is a noun that refers to a vain or supercilious person.

Our word of the day comes indirectly from the Arabic word ‘babbagha’ (bob BOB ah) a disparaging term for a parrot or flamboyant person. A popinjay is often a person who dresses and behaves with great extravagance.

Being the popinjay that he was, Peter entered the building in a loud, flamboyant manner. His purple feathered boa attracted everyone’s attention. Sadly, his six-inch high heels attracted his doctor’s attention when he fell and sprained his ankle.