airy fairy

See also: airy-fairy

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈeəɹi feəɹi/

Adjective

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

  1. insubstantial
  2. 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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