SINCE 1828

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snitty

adjective snit·ty \ ˈsni-tē \

Definition of snitty

snittier; snittiest

: disagreeably ill-tempered

snitty was our Word of the Day on 01/19/2011. Hear the podcast!

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snitty Has a Mysterious History

Those of Germanic descent might know the word snit as a noun meaning "an apple slice," but this doesn't help etymologists much. In fact, it just gets them into a "snit" (a "state of agitation"). No matter how they slice and dice the word snitty, they can't get to its core. All we know is that "snit" was being used as early as 1939 and "snitty" appeared some 40 years later, and that both words are mainly used in the United States.

First Known Use of snitty

1978

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in the meaning defined above

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WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

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investment of mental or emotional energy

BROWSE DICTIONARY

snite

snithe

snitty

snivel

snively

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Editor's Note: snitty Has a Mysterious History