General
highfalutin
What does highfalutin mean?
Describes someone or something absurdly fancy or self-important. A term of gentle mockery.
"No need for those highfalutin words out here."
Origin
American English, 1830s–40s; "high" plus an expressive second element (perhaps altered "fluting"), coined to mock pretentious speech.
Frequently asked questions
What does highfalutin mean?
Highfalutin describes someone or something absurdly fancy, pompous, or putting on airs, used as gentle mockery.
How do you use highfalutin?
It mocks pretension, as in 'no need for those highfalutin words out here.'
Where does highfalutin come from?
It's American English from the 1830s–40s, built from 'high' plus an expressive second element, coined to mock pretentious speech.
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