English
hoity-toity
Probably from hoit (“to behave frivolously and thoughtlessly; to play the fool”) + -y (suffix forming adjectives with the sense ‘having the quality of’), reduplicated with a change of the initial consonant.
Formed from hoit ‘to behave frivolously and thoughtlessly’ + -y
Middle English ote ‘to promise, etc’
English hoit
The story
Probably from hoit (‘to behave frivolously and thoughtlessly; to play the fool’) + -y (suffix forming adjectives with the sense ‘having the quality of’), reduplicated with a change of the initial consonant. The noun is attested earlier than the adjective.
Today it means
noun Behaviour adopted to demonstrate one's superiority; pretentious or snobbish behaviour; airs and graces.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / hoity-toity