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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

to be a negative nancy

Hi,

"Don't be such a negative nancy"

(1) "negative nancy" is pejorative and informal but not VERY rude/offensive?
(2) Should it be "Nancy" or "nancy"?
(3) I guess there must be other (idiomatic) ways to express the same idea, "dont be a negative nancy"?
Looking forward to your examples.

Thank you!

mus-te
  

Top answer

It should be capitalized, but it's just an expression using alliteration, so it probably doesn't matter. "Nay-sayer" is another, more formal expression. "Pooh-pooher" might be heard in some circles.

— Philip

  • It should be capitalized, but it's just an expression using alliteration, so it probably doesn't matter.
  • "Nay-sayer" is another, more formal expression.
  • "Pooh-pooher" might be heard in some circles.
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2 Answers
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It should be capitalized, but it's just an expression using alliteration, so it probably doesn't matter.
"Nay-sayer" is another, more formal expression. "Pooh-pooher" might be heard in some circles.
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