ricky-tick

[rik-ee-tik, -tik]

noun

1. the mechanical, repetitive style and beat of ragtime or early swing music.

adjective

1. of or characteristic of such sound or beat.

2. corny or outmoded.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ricky-tick¹

First recorded in 1935–40; apparently imitative

When To Use

What does ricky-tick mean?

Ricky-tick means corny or outdated. It can be used to describe the kinds of things that seem a bit old-fashioned and silly because they come from another era.The similar term rinky-dink can be used to mean the same thing, but it more commonly means inferior, amateurish, or small-time.The term rinky-tink can also be used to mean the same thing as ricky-tick.Both ricky-tick and rinky-tink can also be (and were originally) used to describe the mechanical, repetitive style and beat of ragtime or early swing music. Both terms can also be used as nouns to refer to such music.Ricky-tick is also a military slang term meaning immediately or as quickly as possible. It’s often used in the phrase most ricky-tick, as in Drop what you’re doing most ricky-tick and get down here.Example: His act is a bit ricky-tick, if you ask me, but I guess that’s what his audience wants to see.