Hoydenish
/ˈhɔɪ.dən.ɪʃ/noun
Resembling or characteristic of a hoyden; boisterously lively, impudent, or tomboyish.
Did you know?Hoydenish comes from a chain of words for a boisterous, ill-mannered girl, but its deeper root may be the Dutch name Huyden/Huiden, showing how a personal name can become a social label.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Dutch
Huyden / Huiden
“A personal name often cited in early explanations of the word, though the exact origin is uncertain.”
16th Century
English
hoyden
“A rude, boisterous, or saucy girl; a tomboy.”
17th Century
English
hoydenish
“Having the qualities of a hoyden; impertinently lively or rough-mannered.”
Modern English
English
hoydenish
“Lively, unruly, or tomboyishly impudent.”
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