popper

Everyday

1. (party popper) A small paper tube you pull with a string so it goes bang and shoots out curly paper streamers. tree →
2. (UK, Ireland) A press stud: a small metal or plastic fastener in two halves that snap together on clothes, also called a snap fastener. tree →
3. A machine or pan for making popcorn: a popcorn popper. tree →
4. Anything or anyone that pops, such as a fishing lure that pops on the water. tree →
5. (poppers, adult slang) a drug sniffed from small bottles; dangerous and not for children. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life party poppers go off at birthdays and New Year; baby clothes and coats often close with poppers in the UK. In science a popper can show a small chemical or air «bang». Phrases: «party popper», «do up the poppers», «popcorn popper».

Examples

• We pulled the party poppers when the clock struck midnight. tree →
• Bits of streamer from the poppers landed in the cake. tree →
• The baby's sleepsuit has poppers all the way down the legs. tree →
• Can you do up the poppers on my coat? tree →
• Dad made popcorn in the old popcorn popper. tree →
• Party poppers are loud, so cover your ears if you do not like bangs. tree →
• Point a party popper upwards, never at someone's face. tree →

Note

Countable: a popper, poppers. In the USA people say «snaps» or «snap fasteners» more than «poppers». Safety: party poppers contain a tiny explosive charge; never point them at eyes. The drug sense is plural («poppers») and is for adults to know about, not for school.