This is another re-post, from way back in 2011…and I couldn’t resist sharing it again now, given that the most famous use of fiddle de dee is undoubtedly from Gone with the Wind, and I’m currently editing my upcoming novel, Dreams of Savannah that has a very similar setting. 😃 So on to the words!
Everyone knows what a fiddle is, right? Or what it means to fiddle. It’s a Violin. More, it’s a colloquial use (that usually denotes the rural or country or south) at this point. Why? Interestingly, the word fiddle has been used since the late 14th century (!!!), so it’s a perfectly legitimate use. Why the connotation? (Let’s keep in mind that I LOVE what has become termed
“”fiddling.” I like the more formal Violin too, but the fiddle is so much
fun!)
“”fiddling.” I like the more formal Violin too, but the fiddle is so much
fun!)
Interestingly, it’s been
relegated to such use largely because of the other words containing fiddle that mean “nonsense.” Funny, huh? We’ve got fiddle-faddle used
since 1610 for “nonsense.” Fiddlesticks has meant the same since 1620.
Fiddlededee combines the nonsensical with contempt and has since 1784.
From what I can tell, there’s no particular reason why “fiddle” got used in all these words, but it’s certainly had an effect on the root word.
Fiddle now has associations with nonsense.
relegated to such use largely because of the other words containing fiddle that mean “nonsense.” Funny, huh? We’ve got fiddle-faddle used
since 1610 for “nonsense.” Fiddlesticks has meant the same since 1620.
Fiddlededee combines the nonsensical with contempt and has since 1784.
From what I can tell, there’s no particular reason why “fiddle” got used in all these words, but it’s certainly had an effect on the root word.
Fiddle now has associations with nonsense.
Maybe that’s why I like it so well. 😏
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Well, since the basis of playing fiddle is improvisation, perhaps that's where the "nonsense" or "aimless" idea comes into play? Even now the fiddle methods are based on ear training and there is almost no written music, just themes to play variations of.