palsy-walsy

English

Etymology

Reduplicated from pals, +‎ -y (diminutive suffix).

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Adjective

palsy-walsy (comparative palsy-walsier, superlative palsy-walsiest)

1. (slang) Very friendly, especially in an excessive or artificial way.

   Synonym: chummy

   She's gotten palsy-walsy with her in-laws lately.

Alternative forms

• pally-wally