(or hoddie-doddie), subs. (old).—A short thick-set man or woman. The full expression is ‘Hoddy Doddy, all arse and no body.’—GROSE. For synonyms, see FORTY-GUTS. Also a fool.

1

  1534.  UDALL, Roister Doister, i., 1 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, iii., 58). Sometimes I hang on Hankyn HODDY-DODDY’S sleeve.

2

  1598.  JONSON, Every Man in his Humour, iv., 8.

        Well, good wife bawd, Cob’s wife, and you,
That make your husband such a HODDY-DODDY.

3

  1639–61.  Rump Songs, ii. [1662], 55.

        Every Noddy,
Will jeer the Rump with, and cry HODDY-DODDY
Here’s a Parliament all Arse and no Body.

4

  1723.  SWIFT, Mary the Cook-maid’s Letter (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, xi., 433). My master is a personable man, and not a spindle-shanked HODDY-DODDY!

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