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La Di Da

Posted by Lewis on November 12, 2007

In Reply to: La Di Da posted by Bob on November 10, 2007

: : : Where does the phase "La Ti Da" come from?

: : Check our archive by backing up one page, then typing into the search box at the top of the page, "La di dah." You'll find a good explanation of how it's used.

: : You might also be interested in what the Oxford English Dictionary says about it. They treat it as both a noun and a verb.

: : As a verb, they define it thus: "intr[ansitive] To use affected manners or speech."

: : As a noun, s.v. la-di-da, they say: "[Onomatopoeic, in ridicule of 'swell' modes of utterance. Cf. HAW-HAW.]

: : A derisive term for one who affects gentility; a 'swell'. Also attrib. or adj. = LARDY-DARDY.

: : They cite an 1883 or so example, et seq., and for lardy-dardy, adjective, they have examples from 1861 on.
: : S.v. lardy-dardy: "Characteristic of an affected swell; languidly foppish.
: : 1861 M. E. BRADDON Trail Serpent IV. vi. 227 You're not much good, my friend, says I, with your lardy-dardy ways, and your cold-blooded words, whoever you are. 1874 Punch 14 Mar. 109/1 This only when the lardy-dardy swells are present. 1887 Illustr. Lond. News 15 Oct. 448 The modern 'lardy-dardy' school [of acting].

: : La-di-dah, with various spellings, has penetrated the former colonies; lardy-dardy has not, I think.
: : SS

: Agreed. La-di=dah enjoyed a good revival, having been uttered by the eponymous heroine of Annie Hall. Lardy-dardy seems very 19th C.

Also used as a fairly meaningless expression by Connie Booth co-writer and actress in "Fawlty Towers".

Lewis

  • La Di Da Brian from Shawnee 14/November/07

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