T-learning # Idiom
Speak Like a Native

fuddy duddy

Choose the correct definition a, b or c.

a) old-fashioned

Well done ! That’s the right answer.

fuddy-duddy’ means fussy, difficult, stuffy. A ’fuddy-duddy’ person is a prude, conservative and foolishly old-fashioned person, sometimes almost to the point of eccentricity.
The terms fusspot, fusser, stick-in-the-mud, spoilsport, wet blanket, old fogy/fogey, stuffed shirt are very similar.

French translation

une personne pointilleuse, difficile, vieillotte, conservatrice, un peu ringarde, un empêcheur de tourner en rond

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Examples in context

‘Kate Middleton redecorates "fuddy-duddy" Kensington Palace

HER new home is fit for a king (and queen) but Kate Middleton has turned her nose up at Kensington Palace.
The Duchess of Cambridge had an entire crate of candles and room sprays delivered to the 17th-century palace in an effort to modernise her marital quarters – and ditch its "fuddy-duddy smell”.’

DailyMirror, 21 June 2011

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’Berlin, May 28 (IANS) Designer Karl Lagerfeld, who describes himself as a calm, fuddy duddy and indifferent person, finds it funny that he has become famous despite not being an actor or singer.
"It’s quite funny to have managed to become famous despite not being an actor, a singer and not being 15 years old. Not a day goes by where I don’t get presents, drawings, dolls from fans," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Lagerfeld as saying.’

Newstrackindia.com, 28 May 2013

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Everyday usage

He is such a fuddy duddy.

At the ripe old age of 32 I’m being written off as a fuddy duddy !

In a sexy modern world, fuddy-duddy image does not sell the goods.

b) extremely funny

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.

c) a bit drunk, intoxicated

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.


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