schoolmarmish
|school-marm-ish|
🇺🇸
/ˈskuːlˌmɑrmɪʃ/
🇬🇧
/ˈskuːlˌmɑːmɪʃ/
prim, teacherly strictness
Etymology
'schoolmarmish' originates from English (chiefly American), specifically the word 'schoolmarm' combined with the suffix '-ish', where 'school' meant 'place of learning' and 'marm' (dialectal) meant 'madam' or 'female teacher'.
'schoolmarmish' changed from the 19th-century American English noun 'schoolmarm' (formed from 'school' + dialectal 'marm'), with 'marm' ultimately related to 'madam' (French 'madame'); the adjective was formed by adding the English adjectival suffix '-ish' to describe qualities of a 'schoolmarm'.
Initially, it meant 'like a female schoolteacher' (neutral descriptive), but over time it evolved into its current pejorative sense of 'prim, pedantic, and overly strict'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling or characteristic of a schoolmarm; prim, pedantic, overly strict or old-fashioned in manner, especially in a female, teacherly way.
Her schoolmarmish insistence on correcting every comma in the report annoyed the team.
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Adjective 2
pejoratively, excessively moralistic or censorious in tone or behavior, as if enforcing small rules and proprieties.
His schoolmarmish comments about appropriate dress at the party made several guests uncomfortable.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 22:56