nonny

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“
[Sings They bore him barefac'd on the bier Hey no nonny, nonny, hey nonny And on his grave rain'd many a tear Fare you well, my dove Laer.

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Definitions (4)

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  1. A meaningless burden in old English ballads and glees, generally “hey, nonny.” It was similar to the fa, la of madrigals. They bore him barefaced on the bier; Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny. Shak., Hamlet, iv. 5. 165.
  2. A whim. [Provincial English]
  3. A ninny; a simpleton.

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Examples (50)

  • So this is Merry England ... with a hey ho and nonny, nonny in we go. —  legitgov
  • On May 14th, 2008 A nonny mouse (not verified) says: —  Sydney Indymedia - Comments
  • In like fashion, I would fully agree (with Jack?) that the insertion of a name, "so help me God," or "hey nonny nonny and a hot cha cha" is a departure from the language of the presidential oath prescribed by the Constitution. —  Balkinization
  • So too, "hey nonny nonny and a hot cha cha" adds something -- akin to Inaugural balls and parties. —  Balkinization
  • With a Keynesian splurge, an abandoned inflation target, and a hey nonny no, I fear the answer is only too clear. —  British Blogs
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. An unmeaning refrain repeated nonny-nonny, nony-nony, nonino, which was also used (like other orig. unmeaning syllables) as a cover for indelicate allusions. Cf. ninny.
  2. Cf. ninny.
 

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