san fairy ann

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

World War I British and ANZAC army slang, a homophonic translation of French ça ne fait rien (it doesn't matter)

Phrase[edit]

san fairy ann

  1. (military slang, obsolete) it doesn't matter
    • 1920 March 10, Punch, volume 158, page 185:
      ‘Very well,’ says I, ‘San fairy ann. Napoo washing — napoo ball.’
      ‘Very well,’ says I, ‘it doesn't matter. No more washing — no more ball.’