hippity

English

Etymology

Fanciful extension hip, a regional variant of hop, with the expressive suffix -ity. Attested since the nineteenth century.

Adverb

hippity (comparative more hippity, superlative most hippity)

1. (informal) Unevenly; by hopping.
   • 1889, Carlisle B. Holding, Her Ben: A Tale of Royal Resolves, page 159:

     “W’at’ll de rab’its do w’en de pile am burnin’?” ¶ “Dey’ll jes hippity, skippity, an’ git hout, an’ now min’ I w’at tell yer,” replied the old negro.

   • 1955, Time & Tide‎, volume 36, page 1582:

     Sammy Squirrel slept inside the tortoise's house until nightfall and then he came out and, skippity-hippity, away he went to Owl's Barn.

Usage notes

Frequently compounded or used in conjunction with the verb hop. See also hippity-hop, hippity-hoppity.