Daffodowndillies

/ˌdæf.ə.ˌdaʊn.ˈdɪl.iz/ noun

Definition

An archaic or poetic plural form of daffodil, using an old variant spelling with reduplication.

Etymology

An Early Modern English variant of 'daffodil' featuring reduplication ('down' addition) and archaic pluralization, from 'de affodil' via Dutch. Popular in 16th-17th century poetry.

Kelly Says

This delightful mouthful shows English speakers in the 1500s playing with flower names like tongue-twisters—the longer and more musical versions caught on in poetry, which is why Robert Herrick could celebrate 'daffodillies' and writers invented 'daffodowndilly.'

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