Etymology

Pippi Longstocking

Today it means: A person, especially a girl or woman, with long or flamboyant red hair, especially in pigtails or parted down the middle, and prominent freckles. Full definition →

Swedish Pippi Långstrump
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The story

  1. Swedish · calque ofPippi Långstrump
  2. English todayPippi Longstocking

From long + stocking, calque of Swedish Pippi Långstrump. As a common noun, after the appearance and nature of the fictional character.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.