The apprentice of the church was irritated at the impudence with which these dressed up popinjays, the apprentices of war, sauntered about the church.
"The Shadow of the Cathedral"
Vicente Blasco Ibañez
Then without waiting for an answer, drawing himself up straight as a ramrod he marched off to assist some popinjays of Abati officers, whom he hated and who hated him, to instil the elements of drill into a newly raised company, leaving me to wonder what fears or premonitions filled his honest soul.
"Queen Sheba's Ring"
H. Rider Haggard
They have no real spontaneity; they are all cowards and popinjays.
"Roderick Hudson"
Henry James