Imp
Meaning
A small, mischievous supernatural creature, often depicted as a lesser demon or a playful evil spirit.
Origin
The word 'imp' began its life as a surprisingly innocent term. In Old English, 'impa' simply meant a 'young shoot' or a 'graft' from a tree, later extending to any young child, especially one of noble birth. Picture a king calling his son 'my little imp.' But as the centuries turned and folklore evolved, this innocent sapling took a dark turn. By the 16th century, with the rise of Christian demonology and a cultural fascination with mischievous spirits, 'imp' became inextricably linked with the 'child of the devil' or a minor daemon. The once benign term for nascent life transformed into the name of a mischievous, sometimes troublesome, supernatural creature, forever shedding its horticultural past.
Examples
- The legend spoke of an imp that would cause minor troubles, like hiding keys or tangling yarn.
- My nephew, a playful little imp, had already climbed onto the kitchen counter before I could stop him.