whippet

Meaning

Noun

• A dog of a certain breed, similar to a small greyhound, originating in Britain and bred for racing.
• A cartridge of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), used as a recreational inhalant drug.

Origin

• Probably from whip in the sense of 'to move quickly' and diminutive suffix -et.
• From whipped cream, since "whippits" are typically sold in the United States for use in making whipped cream.