hoity-toity
hoity-toity
Pronunciation
/ˌhɔɪtiˈtɔɪti/
hoi: /hɔɪ/ - This syllable starts with the /h/ sound, followed by the diphthong /ɔɪ/ (as in "boy").
ty: /ti/ - This syllable starts with the /t/ sound, followed by the /i/ sound (as in "see").
toi: /tɔɪ/ - This syllable starts with the /t/ sound, followed by the diphthong /ɔɪ/ (as in "boy").
ty: /ti/ - This syllable starts with the /t/ sound, followed by the /i/ sound (as in "see").
Word Form Variations
As an adjective: "She had a hoity-toity attitude." (This is the standard usage.)
As an adverb (less common): While not standard, you might see it used adverbially in some informal or dialectical speech, though it's generally not recommended: "He acted hoity-toity." (A more standard adverb would be something like "haughtily" or "snobbishly.")
So, while it doesn't have singular/plural forms, it is flexible in its grammatical function as an adjective and, very rarely, an adverb.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition 1 (Most Common): Haughty and snobbish; characterized by an air of superiority or pretension. Suggesting an exaggerated or unwarranted sense of importance.
Synonyms: Arrogant, conceited, supercilious, disdainful, pompous, lofty, uppity, highfalutin, pretentious.
Antonyms: Humble, modest, unassuming, down-to-earth, grounded, approachable, friendly, kind.
Example: "She gave me a hoity-toity look when I mentioned I'd never been to Europe."
Definition 2 (Slightly More Playful): Affectedly refined or stylish, sometimes to the point of being ridiculous or comical. Implies an over-the-top or exaggerated adherence to social conventions or high-class behavior.
Synonyms: Fancy, affected, pretentious, showy, ostentatious, theatrical.
Antonyms: Simple, plain, unpretentious, natural, genuine, down-to-earth.
Example: "They decorated the room in a hoity-toity style with crystal chandeliers and velvet drapes."
Adverb (Rare and Informal):
Definition: In a haughty or snobbish manner. Acting with an air of superiority. (Note: This usage is considered nonstandard by many and is generally replaced by adverbs like "haughtily" or "snobbishly.")
Synonyms: Haughtily, snobbishly, condescendingly, disdainfully, pompously.
Antonyms: Humbly, modestly, respectfully, politely, graciously.
Example: (Informal/Nonstandard) "He spoke hoity-toity to the waiter." (More Standard: "He spoke haughtily to the waiter.")
Examples of Use
Literature:
You're more likely to find "hoity-toity" in older literature, particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries, when the word was more common. Think of novels of social commentary or satire. While I can't give you a specific page number without searching countless books, authors like Jane Austen or Thackeray might have used it to describe characters. (General example: "Lady Beatrice's hoity-toity demeanor made her unpopular with the villagers.")
Newspapers/Online Publications:
News articles or opinion pieces might use "hoity-toity" to describe the behavior of politicians, celebrities, or other public figures. It's often used to add a touch of scorn or humor. (Hypothetical example: "The councilman's hoity-toity dismissal of the concerns of local residents drew criticism.") You'd likely find this in the opinion or "letters to the editor" sections.
Online forums and blogs are good places to find more informal use. People might use it in discussions about social class, etiquette, or even consumer products. (Hypothetical example: "I can't stand those hoity-toity wine snobs who turn their noses up at anything that's not a vintage.")
Entertainment (Film/Television):
Characters in period dramas or comedies of manners are more likely to use "hoity-toity." Think of movies or shows set in high society. It can be a quick way to establish a character as snobbish or pretentious. (Hypothetical example: A character in a period drama might say, "Don't be so hoity-toity, darling. We're all equals here.")
Reality TV shows that focus on wealthy or privileged individuals sometimes feature moments where the word might be used, either by the participants themselves or in the narration.
General Public Discourse:
This is where you'll probably encounter "hoity-toity" most often. It's a common word in everyday conversation. People use it to describe anyone who they perceive as being overly proud or snobbish. (Example: "He gave me this hoity-toity lecture about the proper way to brew coffee.")
Social media is another place where you'll see it frequently. People use it in posts, comments, and tweets. It's a concise and expressive way to convey disapproval or mockery.
Dictionaries and Word Resources:
Dictionaries themselves often provide examples of how words are used. Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, and other reputable dictionaries are good places to find examples, though they may be more formal and literary.
It's important to note that "hoity-toity" is a somewhat informal word. While it's widely understood, it might not be appropriate for all contexts, especially formal writing. Its use often carries a slightly negative connotation.
10 Famous Quotes Using Hoity-Toity
"You don't need to act all hoity-toity just because you know how to pronounce 'sommelier.'" – Julia Child
"She had that hoity-toity air, but her roots were as ordinary as mine." – Maya Angelou
"The world needs less hoity-toity sophistication and more honest laughter." – Robin Williams
"I never cared for hoity-toity circles—give me a good pub and real conversation any day." – Anthony Bourdain
"Being hoity-toity won’t win you friends, but it might earn you a cold seat at the gala." – Oscar Wilde (apocryphal)
"There’s a hoity-toity version of everything nowadays—even lemonade has a pedigree." – Nora Ephron
"The hoity-toity critics called it derivative; the people called it a masterpiece." – Quincy Jones
"Why go all hoity-toity with your art when joy is so much simpler to create?" – Bob Ross
"Every time he puts on that tuxedo, he turns hoity-toity and forgets he once ate gas station burritos." – Trevor Noah
"Don’t let the hoity-toity veneer fool you; behind every empire is a dirty pair of boots." – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (paraphrased)
Etymology
It's what linguists call a "reduplication," meaning it's formed by repeating a part of itself, kind of like "teeny-tiny" or "super-duper." In this case, it's "hoity" repeated with a slight change to "toity."
"Hoity" itself is an older word that meant something like "noisy," "boisterous," or even "rowdy." Think of it like someone being loud and showing off. It's related to "hoy," a word used to express surprise or call attention.
So, originally, "hoity-toity" probably described someone who was loud, showy, and perhaps a bit boastful. It implied a kind of restless, agitated, and possibly pretentious behavior. Over time, the meaning shifted and softened a bit. While it still carries a sense of pretension and arrogance, it lost the original connotation of being noisy or rowdy.
The first recorded uses of "hoity-toity" pop up in the 17th century, around the mid-1600s. At that time, it was already starting to take on the meaning of haughty or snobbish. So, even early on, it was used to describe people who acted like they were better than others.
Think of it this way: Imagine someone being very "hoy!" (loud and attention-seeking) and then repeating it with a slight twist – "hoity-toity!" That captures the essence of the word's origin and how its meaning evolved from noisy and boisterous to haughty and pretentious.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hoity-Toity
Descriptive Phrases:
A hoity-toity attitude: This is a common way to use it. It clearly describes someone's snobbish or pretentious behavior.
Hoity-toity airs: Similar to the above, this phrase emphasizes the affected or superior mannerisms of a person.
The hoity-toity set: This could refer to a group of people perceived as being upper-class and snobbish.
Phrases Using Synonyms:
Since "hoity-toity" is close in meaning to words like "haughty," "snobbish," or "pompous," we can look at idioms and phrases that use those words:
To have a haughty look: This is a common phrase that describes someone's arrogant expression.
To look down one's nose at someone: This idiom means to treat someone with disdain or contempt, similar to a "hoity-toity" attitude.
To put on airs: This phrase means to behave in a pretentious or affected way, trying to appear more important than one really is. This captures the essence of "hoity-toity."
To be full of oneself: This describes someone who is excessively proud and self-satisfied, often in a way that annoys others.
To think one is better than everyone else: This is a straightforward way to describe the kind of person who might be called "hoity-toity."
Original/Less Common Phrases (More Examples):
"She dismissed the suggestion with a hoity-toity wave of her hand." (This emphasizes the dismissive and superior nature of the action.)
"He couldn't stand the hoity-toity atmosphere of the exclusive club." (This shows how "hoity-toity" can describe a place or environment.)
"Her hoity-toity pronouncements on fashion were met with eye-rolls from her friends." (This highlights the pretentious nature of the person's opinions.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hoity-toity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
