niminy-piminy

adjective

nim·​i·​ny-pim·​i·​ny ˌni-mə-nē-ˈpi-mə-nē How to pronounce niminy-piminy (audio)
: affectedly refined : finicky

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of namby-pamby

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of niminy-piminy was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near niminy-piminy

Cite this Entry

“Niminy-piminy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niminy-piminy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on niminy-piminy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!