airy fairy

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See also: airy-fairy

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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

Pronunciation[edit]

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

Adjective[edit]

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

  1. insubstantial
  2. impractical

Quotations[edit]

  • 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[edit]

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