Izzy

English

Alternative forms

• Izzie

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪzi/
• Rhymes: -ɪzi

  • Audio (Southern England)

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Etymology 1

Proper noun

Izzy (plural Izzies)

1. A diminutive of the female given name Isabel, Isobel, Isabelle, Isabella, Elizabeth, Isidora, Isra, Izebel, Ismara and Isobelle.
   • 1886, Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge:

     "I approve of anything you desire to do, Izzy," said Henchard huskily.

2. A diminutive of the male given name Israel, Isaac, Isambard, Isidore, Ismail, Chreistus, Chreistos, Isaiah, Isiah, Izzet, Isarn, Ismail and Isam.
   • 2012 [2011], R. M. Meluch, The Ninth Circle: A Novel of the U.S.S. Merrimack (Tour of the Merrimack; 5), New York, NY: DAW Books, →ISBN, page 367:

     “Geez, Cecil, you sound just like Izzy Benet,” Patrick said. “We don’t need two Izzies. Nobody needs two Izzies.”

See also

• Isy
• Issy

Etymology 2

Diminutive of Isaac, a male given name of Hebrew origin, popular among Jewish people.

Proper noun

Izzy (plural Izzies)

1. (sometimes derogatory) A nickname for a Jew.
   • 1948, Norman Mailer, The Naked and the Dead, New York, NY: Rinehart & Company, page 137:

     “Yeah,”’ Croft said. A spasm of rage worked through him, and he turned on Goldstein and said, ‘‘Listen, Izzy.” / ‘“My name isn’t Izzy,” Goldstein said angrily.

   • 2012 November 24, BlastFromThePast, “Re: Hey anti-Semites, the Jews have an army now. Get used to it.”, in soc.culture.israel‎^[1] (Usenet):

     The Izzies are scared shitless of Iran. That's why they're making such a stink about Iran's perfectly legal nuclear programme - and why they want the JewSA to fight all their wars for them!

References

• Jonathon Green (2024) “Izzy n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang