la-di-da

Or la-de-da,

[lah-dee-dah]

interjection

1. (used as an expression of derision directed at affected gentility or pretentious refinement.)

adjective

1. affected; pretentious; foppish.

   a la-di-da manner.

noun

1. an affected or pretentious person.

2. behavior or speech characterized by affected or exaggerated gentility.

la-di-da

/ ˌlɑːdiːˈdɑː /

adjective

1. informal,  affecting exaggeratedly genteel manners or speech

noun

1. a la-di-da person

Word History and Origins

Origin of la-di-da¹

First recorded in 1880–85; derisive imitation of affected, pseudo-elevated speech

Word History and Origins

Origin of la-di-da¹

C19: mockingly imitative of affected speech

Example Sentences

Her catchphrase, “Oh well, la-di-da, la-di-da,” became iconic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Keaton’s la-di-da breeziness was one of her most sneakily beguiling qualities; she came across as the best friend you’d love to confide in because you knew she didn’t hold herself higher than you.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“If you send him here, to this la-di-da school, he’ll forget who he is and be afraid of his own people.”

Read more on New York Times

"At the risk of sounding la-di-da, this is, truly, my Proustian madeleine."

Read more on Salon

And then, la-di-da, they’ll go back to pretending this is a normal presidency rather than a runaway train.

Read more on Washington Post