itty-bitty

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meantolearn

#135386 Fri, 09 Sep 05 04:14 AM

Is it OK to describe someone or something 'itty-bitty'?

Say someone's hands or feet or figure or someone's house or rooms.

Does 'itty-bitty' simply means tiny?

Thanks,

meantolearn

Joined on Thu, Feb 24 2005

Regular Member (704)

CalifJim

#135410 Fri, 09 Sep 05 05:32 AM

Does 'itty-bitty' simply mean 'tiny'?
Yes!
It's not used very much, though, especially in serious adult conversations, where 'tiny', however, would not be out of place.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,966)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

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meantolearn

#135445 Fri, 09 Sep 05 08:02 AM

Hi CJ,

out of place - not suitable for a particular situation or occasion:

e.g. He never seemed to feel out of place at social functions.

The paintings looked strangely out of place. (Longman)

Thanks for the reply.

meantolearn

Clive

#135701 Fri, 09 Sep 05 11:10 PM

Hi,

An alternative spelling is ittsy-bittsy.

There's also teensy-weensy (derived from 'tiny', I imagine). An adult might occasionally try to be cute by saying to a friend:

A: Would you like some more cake?

B: Oh, just a teeny piece, please.

There was a pop song many years ago:

She wore an ittsy-bittsy, teeny-weeny

Yellow polka dot bikini

Just a teeny comment, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (21,181)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

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meantolearn

#135714 Fri, 09 Sep 05 11:55 PM

Hi Clive,

It seems I do remember the song, but only partially.

I hope you dance!

meantolearn

#135838 Sat, 10 Sep 05 08:00 AM

a bitty woman

Does the phrase have negative connotation?

Is it a common expression?

Thanks,

meantolearn

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julielai

#135900 Sat, 10 Sep 05 11:45 AM

And here's the famous children's tune:

The itsy bitsy spider

Crawled up the water spout

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out

Out came the sun

And dried up all the rain

And the itsy bitsy spider

Crawled up the spout again.

julielai

Joined on Sun, Oct 24 2004

Planet earth

Senior Member (3,570)

Just another blogger (http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/julie-lai)

Clive

#135939 Sat, 10 Sep 05 02:40 PM

'a bitty woman' Does the phrase have negative connotation? Is it a common expression?

My dictionary has 'bitty', informal, meaning 'very small'. However, I've only heard it used in conjunction with 'little': a little-bitty woman or with 'itty': an itty-bitty woman. There's nothing negative about it. Perhaps you might hear it once a year.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Expressions, Negatives