fiddle-de-dee
Definition
- Interjection:
- An expression of mild impatience, dismissal, or contempt for something trivial or nonsensical: "fiddle-de-dee" is used to indicate that what has been said is unimportant, foolish, or not worth serious consideration.
- A playful or old-fashioned exclamation of disbelief or annoyance: It conveys a sense of gentle mockery or irritation, often in a lighthearted or theatrical manner.
Usage Examples
- Interjection:
- "Fiddle-de-dee!" she exclaimed when he told her the rumor. (She dismissed the rumor as nonsense.)
- "Fiddle-de-dee, that's just a silly story," said the old woman. (She brushed off the tale as trivial.)
Advanced Usage
- In historical or literary contexts: The word is often used in works from the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in British English, to represent a character's affected or aristocratic dismissal of something.
- In the play, the duchess cried, "Fiddle-de-dee! I have no time for such gossip." (The character uses the term to show disdain for gossip.)
Variants and Related Words
- Fiddle-faddle (n / interj): a similar expression meaning trivial nonsense or silly talk.
- "Oh, fiddle-faddle!" he said, waving his hand. (He dismissed the conversation as foolish.)
Synonyms
- Nonsense: something that is meaningless or absurd.
- Poppycock: an exclamation meaning that something is ridiculous or untrue.
- Balderdash: another term for meaningless talk or nonsense.
Related Idioms
Not worth a fiddle: something of little or no value.
- His excuse is not worth a fiddle. (His excuse is worthless.)
Fiddle around: to waste time by doing trivial or unimportant things.
- Stop fiddling around and get to work. (Stop wasting time on trivial activities.)