biddy
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
Etymology [edit]
- Derived from "Biddy", diminutive form of Bridget.
- Came to be generic name for an Irish maid (US), and then an old woman.
- See citations page for more explanation.
Noun [edit]
biddy (plural biddies)
- (pejorative) A woman, especially an old woman; especially one regarded as fussy or mean or a gossipy busybody.
- (uncommon) An attractive little girl.
- (archaic, colloquial) An Irish maidservant.
- (by extension)(derogatory) Any Irishwoman
- A name used in calling a hen or chicken, often as "biddybiddybiddy".
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
- 1915 Burgess, Thornton W., The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Little, Brown, and Company, Boston, Ch. XI:
- "Well, we'll see about it by and by," said Farmer Brown's boy. "There's the breakfast bell, and I haven't fed the biddies yet."
Translations [edit]
a woman, especially an old woman; especially one regarded as fussy or mean or a gossipy busybody
an Irish serving woman or girl
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