I recently heard about a manga entitled
_[つっぱしり元太郎](http://www.mangazukan.com/2006/11/post_588b.html)_ , and I'm
slightly confused about the meaning of the 「つっぱしり」 in its name. I've looked
the word up in several dictionaries, but have gotten no results.

From what I know and have seen, it seems that it is derived from the verb
[突っ走る]{つっぱしる} (which would make sense given the apparent nature of the manga.)

Thus my question is: What is 「つっぱしり」 in this context? Is it an independent
noun or adjective (if so, what is its meaning?), or is it grammatical-form
derived from the aforementioned verb (if so, what is the grammar behind it?)
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question
grammar word-choice
What does 「つっぱしり」mean in this context?
Let us examine the form of the verb in question.

`突っ走る` is the `終止形` (Dictionary form) Or the form you would normally use for
present/future tense.

`突っ走り` is the `連用形` (Verb continuative form)

One of the uses of a verb in `連用形` is to form verbal compounds:

> Consider these in isolation:
>
>   * 着{き}る (Verb in 終止形) meaning "To wear"
>
>   * 物{もの} (Noun) meaning "thing"
>
>

>
> Now consider the compound from their combination:
>
>   * 着物{きもの} meaning "kimono" or literally as "a thing you wear" (着 is the
> 連用形 of 着る)
>

Now let's examine `つっぱしり元太郎`:

> Consider them in isolation:
>
>   * つっぱしり - 連用形 of つっぱしる meaning "to run swiftly"
>
>   * 元太郎(noun) - Gentarou (I assume a person's name)
>
>

>
> Put them together to form:
>
>   * つっぱしり元太郎 - "(the) Gentarou (who) runs swiftly"
>

Now let's compare `つっぱしる元太郎` with `つっぱしり元太郎`.

Using 連用形 to modify the noun makes it an (intrinsic) attribute of the noun.
Using the plain form(連体形) to modify the noun describes the noun in terms of
what it is currently doing(being) or will do(be).

>   * つっぱしる元太郎 - "Gentarou who is running(or will be running) swiftly"
>
>   * つっぱしり元太郎 - "Gentarou who has the attribute of being able to run swiftly"
>
>

* * *

Tidbit on `終止形` and `連体形`:

> 手紙はペンで書く (Write a letter with a pen)  
>  書く is in 終止形 or "sentence ending form" or "predicative form"
>
> ペンで書く手紙 (A pen-written letter)  
>  書く is in 連体形 or "attributive form"
>
> There might be some confusion because now apparently the "attributive form"
> does not in fact give the noun the attribute! Actually what it does is it
> attributes **the action** to the noun, which is so very different from
> describing it with an intrinsic attribute.
>
> Compare with `書き手紙`. That would mean "the letter that writes" which does not
> make sense under most contexts.
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> I'm slightly confused about the meaning of the 「つっぱしり」 in its name. I've
> looked the word up in several dictionaries, but have gotten no results.

Rikaichan immediately gives the verb you quoted. `つっぱしり` is naturally a noun
derived for it.

> Thus my question is: What is 「つっぱしり」 in this context?

Nothing more than a nickname I guess. Like Mickeal "King of the pop" Jackson,
"Typhoid" Mary, and many others…
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