ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rupert

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɹupɝt// ru·pert Slang Vulgar

n. a person from a wealthy or high-class background who is serving as an officer in the army. You use this word when you think they are out of touch with regular soldiers.

n. a derogatory term for a commissioned officer, particularly one perceived as upper-class, posh, or lacking practical experience. Used by lower-ranking personnel to imply the officer is more concerned with social status than military reality.


SIMPLE

The new rupert has no idea how to talk to the men.

CONTEXTUAL

The soldiers waited for the rupert to finish his briefing before they started the real work.

COMPLEX

While the young rupert was busy checking his uniform in the mirror, the seasoned sergeant was already preparing the squad for the upcoming night patrol.

Origin

A German name, brought to England by Prince Rupert of the Rhine in the seventeenth century. Doublet of Robert. The geometry sense is also a reference to Prince Rupert, who posed the question of whether a cube could be passed through a hole made in another cube of the same size.

Usage

Primarily British military slang; carries a strong pejorative or mocking tone.

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