See also: airy-fairy

English edit

Etymology edit

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

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈeəɹi feəɹi/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

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

  1. insubstantial
  2. impractical

Quotations edit

  • 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 edit

  • Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 2010, →ISBN, page 9