noun
biddy
BID-ee/ˈbɪdi/
An insulting term for an older woman considered fussy or meddlesome.
He rudely called the interfering neighbor an old biddy.
Etymology
Biddy, a pet form of Bridget, shifted from a woman's personal name to a general label for an older woman, often used disparagingly.
More examples
- She objected when the columnist dismissed older women as biddies.
- The comedy relied on the insulting stereotype of a nosy biddy.
- Calling her a biddy belittled concerns that deserved a fair hearing.
Forms
biddy · biddies
Similar words
- busybody
- Busybody criticizes meddling regardless of age or gender; biddy specifically disparages an older woman.
- meddler
- Meddler describes interference; biddy adds an age- and gender-based insult.