fuddy-duddy

American  

[fuhd-ee-duhd-ee, -duhd-ee] / ˈfʌd iˌdʌd i, -ˈdʌd i /

noun

plural

fuddy-duddies

1. a person who is stuffy, old-fashioned, and conservative.

2. a person who is fussy or picayune about details; fussbudget.

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adjective

1. stuffy, old-fashioned, and conservative.

2. fussy; picayune.

fuddy-duddy British  

/ ˈfʌdɪˌdʌdɪ /

noun

1. informal a person, esp an elderly one, who is extremely conservative or dull

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Etymology

Origin of fuddy-duddy

First recorded in 1900–05; of obscure origin

Explanation

An old-fashioned, fussy person can be called a fuddy-duddy. You might accuse your best friend of being a fuddy-duddy if she prefers staying home drinking tea and reading on Saturday nights, instead of going dancing with you. A fuddy-duddy has no sense of humor and is disapproving and a bit pompous. Fuddy-duddies seem dull and conservative, overly careful, and critical of other people's decisions. While we know fuddy-duddy first appeared in print in the late 1800s, and that it originated in the United States, its origin is a mystery.