toffee-nosed en · ADJ
Etymology
Probably from toff or from toffee-nose + -ed.
Meanings
-
(Ireland, UK) Snobbish, condescending or aloof.
Parkinson: You made films before, but the part that really made your name was Zulu, wasn't it […] and there of course—against type—you played the toff, you played the officer. Caine: I played the officer, yeah, and everybody thought I was like that. Everyone was so shocked when they met me, this like Cockney guy had played this toffee-nosed git.
2000 December 18, BBC and Bafta Tribute to Michael Caine, 16:43-17:05:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more toffee-nosed | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most toffee-nosed | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |