fiddlesticks
- interjection
- /ˈfɪdəlˌstɪks/
- Archaic
- When he heard the rumor, he replied, "Fiddlesticks! That can't be true."
Examples
-
Oh, fiddlesticks! That can't be true!
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She muttered fiddlesticks under her breath when the computer crashed.
-
Oh, fiddlesticks! I forgot to bring my wallet again.
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I can't believe you said that, fiddlesticks!
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Oh, fiddlesticks! I can't believe you thought that plan would work.
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When she heard his explanation, she exclaimed, "Fiddlesticks! That's just nonsense!"
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He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Fiddlesticks, that's not how it happened!"
Synonyms
A small amount of care or worry about something
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
A short sound people make to show they feel annoyed or do not believe something
A short sound showing disbelief or lack of interest
A quick sound that shows scorn or disbelief
A short angry cry people say when they feel annoyed or frustrated
A short spoken word people use to show mild annoyance or disappointment
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
A short exclamation that shows annoyance or disappointment
A short cry people say to show surprise or anger
A short word said to show you do not respect something
An old exclamation showing strong disapproval or disgust
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
People say a strong angry word when they feel very annoyed
A written laugh that shows you are mocking someone or do not believe them
A short gruff sound that shows annoyance or disapproval
A short exclamation showing frustration or surprise
Say to show anger, surprise, or frustration
A short shout to show you do not believe something or are annoyed
A short word people say to show they do not believe or respect something
An old mild word people say when they are annoyed
An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance
A short sound people use as a reply to show annoyance or disbelief
A short exclamation showing disbelief or contempt
A short angry or surprised shout used instead of a rude word
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
A short shout showing surprise, alarm, or disbelief
A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance
A short shocked cry showing disbelief about something ridiculous
A short word said to show mild surprise, annoyance, or frustration
A mild, old-fashioned exclamation said when you feel annoyed or disappointed
People say this to show annoyance or strong feeling
A short word people say to show surprise, anger, or annoyance
A short mild swear people say to show anger or surprise
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
fiddlesticks = fiddlestick (opaque) = fiddle + stick + s
Although formed from 'fiddle' + 'stick', the exclamation sense is idiomatic and its force ('nonsense' or annoyance) cannot be derived from the literal parts.
Etymology
Fiddlesticks is an old, mild exclamation that likely comes from fiddle (a small violin) plus sticks, giving a sense of something small or silly. That's why people use fiddlesticks to show 'nonsense', 'surprise', or 'annoyance' instead of stronger language.