hoity-toity

English

Etymology

From the archaic verb hoit (to play the fool; to behave thoughtlessly and frivolously).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˌhɔɪ.tiˈtɔɪ.ti/
  • Rhymes: -ɔɪti

Adjective

hoity-toity (comparative hoity-toitier, superlative hoity-toitiest)

  1. Pompous, self-important and snobbish.
    • 2016, Liz Nugent, Lying In Wait, →ISBN, page 113:
      The other models were gas fun, though they were all a bit hoity-toity.

Derived terms

Translations

Interjection

hoity-toity

  1. (dated) Expressing surprise or disapprobation.
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