little old

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Pronunciation edit

Audio (AU) (file)

Adjective edit

little old (not comparable)

(US, Southern US, idiomatic, informal) Emphatically, affectionately, or humorously little; ordinary or harmless (especially when trying to downplay the importance of something).
Well aren't you just a little old sweetheart?

A: I love your dress! B: What, this little old thing?

How about a little old game of pool?
- 1909, Rowland Thomas, The Little Gods, page 280:
  You brought the best little old news you'll ever tote. Secretario, if you never promulgate worse news than that, you'll boost your circulation a thousand a day.
- 1915 August 14, Roy K. Moulton, “On the Spur of the Moment: Appearances”, in The Day (New London), page 9:
  They found afterward to their regret that he was the finest little old poker player that ever struck the village and he carried away a suitcase of yellow-backed bills.
- 1949 May 16, Walt Kelly, Pogo (comic strip):
  [Pogo:] I'm takin' care of this li'l' ol' backward child.
- 1976, Richard West, “The Best of Texas”, in Texas Monthly, volume 4, number 7, page 103:
  We Texans have always bragged about having the best little old this and the best little old that.
- 1992, Henry I. Christ, Building Power in Reading, page 131:
  Well, you nice people, I'm going to let you in on a secret and show you why this kitchen knife is the best little ole product you can get.
- 1995, Rose Clayton, editor, Elvis Up Close: In the Words of Those Who Knew Him Best, page 13:
  Christine Roberts Presley: Elvis was the best little ol' thing. He was so polite.
- 1999, “College Basketball: Men's Roundup; Jarvis Keeps His Focus on Tough Road Ahead”, in New York Times:
  While still marveling over the magnificent overtime victory his team had over St. John's Sunday, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski turned immediately to worrying about what was ahead. […] Duke plays a little old game against North Carolina tonight.
- 2010, J. Cole, Friday Night Lights (mixtape), "You Got It" lyrics:
  Last time I seen you, you was a little old girl / I had a crush now we grown and we still so thorough
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see little,‎ old.
This joke is getting a little old.

Usage notes edit

Used more often (and in more constructions) in the Southern United States.

Antonyms edit

big old, big ole, big ol'

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously

Finnish: pikku (fi)

References edit

“little old”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.