argy-bargy
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Scots, variant of argle-bargle, documented since 1822, presumably due to replacement of + -le (“frequentative”) with + -y (“diminutive”), documented since 1857, but without effect on the meaning.[1][2]
Pronunciation[edit]
- (General American) spelling pronunciation: IPA(key): /ˈɑɹdʒiˌbɑɹdʒi/, traditional pronunciation: IPA(key): /ˈɑɹɡiˌbɑɹɡi/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɑːdʒiˌbɑːdʒi/
- Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)dʒi
Noun[edit]
argy-bargy (countable and uncountable, plural argy-bargies)
- (chiefly UK) A noisy disagreement, often with some fighting
- There was a bit of an argy-bargy over the matter.
Verb[edit]
argy-bargy (third-person singular simple present argy-bargies, present participle argy-bargying, simple past and past participle argy-bargied)
- (chiefly UK) To argue.
- 1897, J. M. Barrie, chapter 6, in Margaret Ogilvy:
- Ten minutes at the least did she stand at the door argy-bargying with that man.
- 2003, Lynne Truss, Eats, Shoots & Leaves,[1], page 27:
- Instead you will engage in some direct-action argy-bargy!
Synonyms[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “argle”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ^ Word Detective 010506
Categories:
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- Rhymes:English/ɑː(ɹ)dʒi/4 syllables
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