General
notions
What does notions mean?
Pretensions or airs; behaving as though one is better than one's background warrants. To 'have notions' is to be pretentious.
"Ordering the truffle chips — would you look at the notions on him."
Origin
Hiberno-English sense of standard English 'notions', specialised to mean social pretension.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'notions' mean in Ireland?
It means airs and graces or pretensions — acting as though you're better than your background warrants. To 'have notions' is to be pretentious.
Where does the Irish sense of 'notions' come from?
It's a Hiberno-English specialisation of the standard English word 'notions', narrowed to mean social pretension.
How do you use 'notions'?
Tease someone acting above their station, e.g. 'Ordering the truffle chips — would you look at the notions on him.'
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