airy fairy

See also: airy-fairy

English

Etymology

Coined by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in 1830 in his poem Lilian.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈeəɹi feəɹi/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

airy fairy (comparative more airy fairy, superlative most airy fairy)

  1. (informal, somewhat derogatory) Insubstantial.
  2. (informal, somewhat derogatory) Impractical.

Quotations

  • 1830, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Lilian:
    Airy, fairy Lilian,¶ Flitting, fairy Lilian,¶ When I ask her if she love me,¶ Claps her tiny hands above me

References

  • Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 2010, →ISBN, page 9
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