fuddy-duddy

American  

[fuhd-ee-duhd-ee, -duhd-ee] / ˈfʌd iˌdʌd i, -ˈdʌd i /

noun

plural

fuddy-duddies

1. a person who is stuffy, old-fashioned, and conservative.

2. a person who is fussy or picayune about details; fussbudget.

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adjective

1. stuffy, old-fashioned, and conservative.

2. fussy; picayune.

fuddy-duddy British  

/ ˈfʌdɪˌdʌdɪ /

noun

1. informal a person, esp an elderly one, who is extremely conservative or dull

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Etymology

Origin of fuddy-duddy

First recorded in 1900–05; of obscure origin

Explanation

An old-fashioned, fussy person can be called a fuddy-duddy. You might accuse your best friend of being a fuddy-duddy if she prefers staying home drinking tea and reading on Saturday nights, instead of going dancing with you. A fuddy-duddy has no sense of humor and is disapproving and a bit pompous. Fuddy-duddies seem dull and conservative, overly careful, and critical of other people's decisions. While we know fuddy-duddy first appeared in print in the late 1800s, and that it originated in the United States, its origin is a mystery.

Example Sentences

And not to be a fuddy-duddy, but I can think of many better uses, including using that desire to connect with people to motivate charity work, political organizing, or just throwing a dinner party.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2025

Showing the BBC around his former stomping ground, Harold's Café, he expressed confidence his cardigan-wearing "fuddy-duddy" character would live on.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2022

Carrie is now the “cisgender woman” on a podcast whose younger co-hosts make her feel like a fuddy-duddy.

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2021

She designed the spirit to pique curiosity of younger drinkers who think of genever as too fuddy-duddy, she told me.

From Washington Post • Nov. 18, 2021

You're a nice old fuddy-duddy that father sent to the spaceport because he figured you'd be too timid to get into trouble.

From The Pirates of Ersatz by Freas, Kelly