| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Neddy (a man’s name). | | |
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A contraction and diminutive of Mine Edward—Mine Eddy, My N’Eddy. Teddy, is the French tu, toi, form; and Neddy the nunation form. (Ed’, Ted, Ned.) | 1 |
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Neddy. A donkey; a low cart used in Dublin; so called because its jolting keeps the riders eternally nodding. | 2 |
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“The ‘Set-down’ was succeeded by the Noddy, so called from its oscillating motion backwards and forwards.”—Sketches of Ireland (1847). |
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Neddy. A dunce; a euphemism for “an ass.” | 3 |
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