biggity en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ˈbɪɡɪti/
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Apparently from big + -ed + -y, a compound suffix used to form adjectives meaning “having the quality of”; compare uppity. Alternately, perhaps from big + -ety, a suffix used to extend monosyllabic words; compare hot diggety, hippity-hop. Attested in the Southern United States since the late nineteenth century. Commonly reanalyzed as bigot + -y.
Meanings
-
(US, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) Conceited, uppity.
"Oh, Jeff Wain!" returned the countryman slightingly; "yas, I knows 'im, an' don' know no good of 'im. One er dese yer biggity, braggin' niggers—talks lack he own de whole county."
1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, chapter 33, in The House Behind The Cedars:[T]he captains were very independent and airy—pretty ‘biggity,’ as Uncle Remus would say.
1883, Mark Twain, chapter 58, in Life on the Mississippi:“Aint you talking biggity. I bet you better not let your grandmammy hear you talking like that.”
1929, William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury, Folio Society, published 2016, page 15:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| biggedy | alternative | lexicographic | |
| bigotty | alternative | lexicographic | |
| biggoty | alternative | lexicographic | |
| biggety | alternative | lexicographic | |
| more biggity | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most biggity | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |