siditty etymology? BE for feeling superior(1967)

[Wilson Gray]

Unfortunately, though I'm quite familiar with this term, I can't hazard
even a WAG as to its origin or even as to its "correct" spelling. It's
what I call a "traditional" term: a term that was in use when my
parents were teens. I heard it in the house before I heard it on the
street. For what little it's worth, I do agree that the pronunciation
indicated by Ms. Angelou's spelling, i.e. that the vowel of the first
syllable is [I] and not [i]. [E], or schwa, is the "correct" one.

-Wilson

BTW, what you mean, "given his *age* and experience"? Don't be trying
to jone with me, man, because, though I may laugh and joke, I do not
play! Don't make me have to put a hurting on your ass! If you looking
for some age, you'd best check out your mama! ;-) Etc. Etc.

To paraphrase the late, great Jimmy Durante, we got a million of 'em.

-WG

On Jul 10, 2005, at 6:11 PM, Sam Clements wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Sam Clements <SClements at NEO.RR.COM>
> Subject:      siditty etymology? BE for feeling superior(1967)
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
> I have nothig to add as far as the etymology.  DARE  and OED cite from
> =
> Jet in 1967....."Eartha..is considered 'seditty' by many Negroes."
>
> The DARE entry also lists the spellings as "saddity, sadiddy, saditty,
> =
> seditty, siddity."  Etymology unknown.=20
>
> I'm just wondering if Wilson has anything to contribute, given his age
> =
> and experience.  Especially since one of the early cites is =
> Angelou(1968-70). =20
>
> "St. Louis teachers, on the other hand, tended to act very siditty,
> and =
> talked down to their students from the lofty heights of education =
> whitefolks' enunciation." =20
>
> She also had other useages from that date.  She later, in the same =
> source, spelled it 'siddity.'
>
> If I missed a previous discussion from the archive, I'm sorry.
>
> Sam Clements
>