General
hotsy-totsy
What does hotsy-totsy mean?
Just fine; satisfactory; all in good order.
"Don't worry, everything's hotsy-totsy back at the office."
Origin
1920s American slang, often credited to cartoonist Billie DeBeck, who is associated with popularizing the rhyming term; it built on the older 'hot' for excellent. The DeBeck attribution is commonly cited but should be treated cautiously, as several rhyming '-otsy' coinages circulated in the era.
Frequently asked questions
What does hotsy-totsy mean?
It means just right, fine, or pleasingly attractive, depending on context.
Who coined hotsy-totsy?
It is often credited to cartoonist Billie DeBeck, but that attribution is shaky since similar rhyming slang was floating around the 1920s.
Can hotsy-totsy describe a person?
Yes, it could mean someone, often a woman, was good-looking or appealing.
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