A person with a hot temper who speaks harshly or angrily; also a WWII-era British fighter aircraft.
Compound word from 'spit' and 'fire,' literally describing someone who spits fire like a dragon. The term became famous when applied to the Supermarine Spitfire aircraft, which was fast and aggressive.
The Supermarine Spitfire was named to suggest speed and aggression, and it became so famous that 'spitfire' shifted slightly—now it can mean either an angry person OR anything fast and powerful, depending on context.
Spitfire applied to women carries diminishing connotations—aggressive femininity reframed as erratic or uncontrollable. When applied to men, the same trait signals desirable assertiveness.
Use to describe spirited, bold action across genders without implying instability or loss of control unique to women.
["fiery","fierce","bold","assertive"]
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