Langimage
English

fuddy-duddy

|fud/dy-dud/dy|

C1

/ˈfʌdi ˌdʌdi/

old-fashioned person

Etymology
Etymology Information

'fuddy-duddy' is believed to originate from the early 20th century, possibly as a playful reduplication of 'duddy,' which was a dialect term for a ragged person.

Historical Evolution

The term 'fuddy-duddy' has remained relatively unchanged since its inception in the early 1900s.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to someone who was ragged or old-fashioned, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a person who is old-fashioned, fussy, and conservative.

My grandfather is a bit of a fuddy-duddy when it comes to technology.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/25 12:01