General
nippy sweetie
What does nippy sweetie mean?
A person (often a woman) with a sharp, curt or acid manner; also literally a strong boiled sweet.
"The wumman at the desk was a right nippy sweetie."
Origin
Scots, 'nippy' (sharp) + 'sweetie', a sweet with a sharp bite.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'nippy sweetie'?
A nippy sweetie is a person, often a woman, with a sharp, curt or acid manner. It can also literally mean a strong-tasting boiled sweet.
Is 'nippy sweetie' an insult?
It's cheeky and mildly critical rather than deeply offensive — it paints someone as tart-tongued and easily irritated.
Where does 'nippy sweetie' come from?
It's Scots, combining 'nippy' (sharp) with 'sweetie' — a sweet with a sharp bite, applied to a sharp-mannered person.
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