hoity-toity
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From the archaic verb hoit (“to play the fool; to behave thoughtlessly and frivolously”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌhɔɪ.tiˈtɔɪ.ti/
Audio (UK): (file)
- Rhymes: -ɔɪti
Adjective
hoity-toity (comparative hoity-toitier, superlative hoity-toitiest)
- Pompous, self-important and snobbish; pretentious or affected, sometimes with the implication of displaying an air of ostentation or excessive fanciness
- 2016, Liz Nugent, Lying In Wait, →ISBN, page 113:
- The other models were gas fun, though they were all a bit hoity-toity.
- (obsolete) Giddy; merry; noisy.
Derived terms
Translations
pompous
Interjection
- (dated) Expressing surprise or disapprobation.
- J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: retold by May Byron for little people
- "Hoity-toity!" said the Chrysanthemum, "what is this? Who is it? Where is it?" So she had to come out from under the holly; and the young trees gathered round her, fussing and twittering, and asked each other what they had better do.
- J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: retold by May Byron for little people
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- Rhymes:English/ɔɪti
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