Page 1 of 1

hoity-toity

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:45 pm
by eberntson
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This hoi·ty-toi·ty (hoi'tē-toi'tē) Pronunciation Key
adj.
Pretentiously self-important; pompous.
Given to frivolity or silliness.

And,

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hoity-toity

1668, "riotous behavior," from earlier highty tighty "frolicsome, flighty," perhaps an alteration and reduplication of dial. hoyting "acting the hoyden, romping" (1594), see hoyden. Sense of "haughty" first recorded late 1800s, probably on similarity of sound.

Ant then there is WordNET, who I think has it wrong with the following definition:

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This hoity-toity

adjective
affectedly genteel [syn: grandiose]

Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:45 pm
by Slava
That's quite a change in meaning over time for this one. We go from a frolicsome, flighty hoyden to affectedly genteel.