Sailors are known for being well rooted, with their sea-legs. When they hit, they do so with their whole body.

To understand the mechanics of a sailing, one must know about the sail’s mast rigging, or masting. This determines the angle and focus, of the propelling wind force; and must be proportionate to the boat and sea conditions.

Masting must be balanced by the keel, or in internal terms: the moving root of the sailboat. A master that has not taken this into account, will have his boat rigging top-heavy, and a fish tailing boat, ready for capsize. With this setup the boat is whipped around out of control by the wind.

When one uses a full length bull whip, one can knock another off their feet. If the whip handler is not firmly rooted, they will throw themselves when they crack the whip; a whippersnapper.

Another analogy of the term whippersnapper, is someone who has a lot of flair and noise for show only.

From the old salt school.