adj. phr. (colloquial).—Conceited; purse-proud; assuming airs, dignity, or importance. Also (rare) as subs.
1839. DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby, ix. ‘He ’s a nasty STUCK-UP monkey, that ’s what I consider him,’ said Mrs. Squeers, reverting to Nicholas. ‘Supposing he is,’ said Squeers, ‘he is as well STUCK UP in our schoolroom as anywhere else, isn’t he?—especially as he don’t like it.’
1847. ALBERT SMITH, The Natural History of ‘STUCK-UP’ People [Title].
1863. MARGARET OLIPHANT, Salem Chapel, i. Them STUCK-UP ways may do with the Church folks as can’t help themselves, but they’ll never do with us Dissenters.
1873. MARIETTA HOLLEY, My Opinions and Betsy Bobbet’s, 273. She was dressed up like a doll, but she didn’t act STUCK UP a mite, my opinion is, she knew what belonged to good manners, and I offered her some caraway, for I liked her looks.
1879. EGGLESTON, The Hoosier Schoolmaster, iv. She was so dog-on STUCK UP that she turned up her nose … bekase I tuck a sheet off the bed to splice out the table-cloth.
1893. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, 68, ‘On a ’Ouse Boat.’ These STUCKUPPY snipsters, as jaw about quiet and peace.
1899. WESTCOTT, David Harum, xii. Mr. Robinson instantly arrived at the determination that the stranger was ‘STUCK UP.’
