ding-dongv.
/ˈdɪŋdɒŋ/, /ˌdɪŋˈdɒŋ/, U.S. /ˈdɪŋˌdɔŋ/, /ˈdɪŋˌdɑŋ/ 1. intransitive. To make a succession of ringing sounds (often two alternating ones differing in tone or force), esp. that made by the ringing of a bell or bells; to make a sound resembling or imitating this (in later use frequently with reference to the sound of a doorbell ringing).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > ringing sound > ring [verb (intransitive)]
ringOE
chimea1340
outringa1425
dong1587
ding-dong1659
tang1686
re-ring1763
ding1820
dinglea1839
bong1855
dingle dongle1858
tinnitate1866
jing1884
gong1903
pring1927
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > sound [verb (intransitive)] > bells
ringc1175
knella1375
clinkc1386
clapc1440
jangle1494
toll1551
knoll1582
chime1583
troll1607
tintinnate1623
swing1645
ding-dong1659
strike1677
jow1786
clam?a1800
to ring in1818
dinglea1839
to strike offa1843
dingle dongle1858
jowl1872
tankle1894
tintinnabulate1906
tong1907
1659 G. Torriano Florio's Vocabolario Italiano & Inglese Tintillare, to jangle, to gingle, to ding-dong, or ring shrill and sharp, as some bells do.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iv. i. 210 But hark!.. The tocsin begins ding-dong-ing.
a1845 R. H. Barham Knight & Lady in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Ser. 279 ‘First dinner-bell’ rang Out its euphonious clang At five..and the ‘Last’ Ding-dong'd..at half-past.
1984 Washington Post (Nexis) 28 June (Final ed.) b2 When the train stopped and the doors were getting ready to open at each stop, it ding-donged again.
2006 Daily Mail (Nexis) 7 Oct. 50 The doorbell of Paul Daniels' house in Berkshire ding-donged.
2. † b. transitive. To repeat (an opinion, statement, etc.) with mechanical regularity. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To assail (a person) with persistent, monotonous, or wearying repetition of words; to nag.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or shout (loudness) > cry or shout [verb (transitive)] > shout at
biremec1200
to shout at, on (a person)c1384
whoop1658
din1674
ding-dong1797
1797 T. Park Sonnets 85 Honest Ned Whose jealous wife ding-dongs him.
1879 ‘J. Q. Smith’ Humorous Sketches & Addr. 149 She nurses her wrath and keeps ding-donging him day after day.
1982 BOMB No. 4 36/2 Shut up and stop ding-donging me.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] > continuously
ding1555
to din (something) into (some one's) ears1724
dun1775
ding-dong1818
1818 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) IV. 843 The first thing is to try whether in Monday's Courier or New Times we can procure the insertion of an Essay, faint comparatively as it's effect will be to what it might have been, first as Anticipation, and 2. as familiarized to—in short (what is necessary on all such occasions) ding-donged on the public Ear—in Papers, Magazine[s], and 3 penny pamphlets.
1854 W. Waterworth Eng. & Rome 173 Some men..dare to ding dong in our ears the words.
1924 Salmon (Idaho) Herald 23 July 7/2 This is the very thing we have been ding donging for 40 years.
c. intransitive. To speak (or sing) with persistent, monotonous, or wearying repetition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > repeating > repeat [verb (intransitive)] > persistently or monotonously
ding-dong1853
1853 Rep. Supreme Court Alabama 21 313 His son (the executor) and the executor's wife were constantly ding-donging at him to make a will, but that he would not do it.
1890 Daily News 2 Jan. 5/3 She rarely takes up a new song..year by year she ‘ding-dongs at the same old ditties’.
1891 G. Meredith One of our Conquerors II. i. 4 You could have hammer-nailed and ding-donged to your heart's content.
1991 A. W. Gray Man Offside xiii. 163 Jacqueline's driving me crazy, ding-donging to go back to the amusement park.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
ding-dongint.n.adv.adj.
/ˈdɪŋdɒŋ/, /ˌdɪŋˈdɒŋ/, U.S. /ˈdɪŋˌdɔŋ/, /ˈdɪŋˌdɑŋ/ A. int.
1. Representing a succession of ringing sounds (often two alternating ones differing in tone or force), esp. that made by the ringing of a bell or bells, or a sound resembling or imitating this. In later use frequently with reference to the sound of a doorbell ringing. Cf. ting-tang int.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > ringing sound > ring [interjection]
ding-dong?1577
ding?1578
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [interjection] > sound of bell
ding-dong?1577
ding?1578
ting-tang1673
tan-tin1721
ding-a-ling1829
?1577 Misogonus ii. iv, in R. W. Bond Early Plays from Ital. (1911) 211 By S sunday me thinkes I here the saunce bell goe ding donge.
1675 Mistaken Husband i. ii The Gold in his Pocket Chimes ding dong.
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol v. 154 Clash, clang, hammer, ding, dong, bell. Bell, dong, ding.
1984 Washington Post (Nexis) 28 June (Final ed.) b2 Yesterday, one of the older American-made cars tried to top its imported rival. Readying to leave Rosslyn, without interruption it went ‘ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong’. The doors closed, then opened again. Another ‘ding-dong’.
1999 Gloucester Citizen (Nexis) 6 Mar. 10 I have to say that following Ken's recipe to the letter, it all worked out splendidly and, by the time the front doorbell went ding-dong, a delicious looking cauldron of molten lava was simmering in the wok.
2. colloquial (originally and chiefly British). Used to express desire, approval, or excitement, esp. in regard to sexual attractiveness.Popularized as a catchphrase by the British actor Leslie Phillips (b. 1924), used originally by his character Jack Bell in the film Carry on Nurse (1959); cf. quot. 1958.
ΚΠ
1958 N. Hudis Carry on, Nurse (film script) 69 Dorothy. Mr. Bell? Jack Bell. Ding-dong—you're not wrong! Ha-ha!
1996 H. Fielding in Independent (Nexis) 25 Sept. 5 [He] has undeniably sexy, slightly lopsided smile, and air of self-reliance and purpose way beyond his years. Ding dong!
2018 @JSDarwen 31 May in twitter.com (accessed 26 Aug. 2020) My first TV crush. She's still gorgeous. Ding dong.
B. n.
1. † b. In plural. As a term of endearment or affection; = ding-ding n. Obsolete. rare.Quot. 1662 shows an altered reading of the text of quot. 1620 at ding-ding n.
a. Originally: (a name for) a bell or gong. Later chiefly: a succession of ringing sounds (often two alternating ones differing in tone or force), esp. that made by the ringing of a bell or bells, or a sound resembling or imitating this. In later use frequently with reference to the sound of a doorbell ringing. Cf. ting-tang n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > ringing sound > [noun] > repeated
ding-dong1611
tingle-tanglea1635
dinging1767
lin-lan-lone1889
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [noun] > sound of bell
knellc961
ringOE
bell-dreamc1175
ringingc1300
clinkingc1386
knellingc1440
ding-dong1611
tang1669
jangling1686
jow17..
steeple-music1732
dinging1767
bell-chimea1822
jowl1822
tintinnabulation1831
ring-a-ding1844
?1577 Misogonus ii. iii, in R. W. Bond Early Plays from Ital. (1911) 202 And youl giue me some dingdonges to hange at my sleife Ile tell yow by my trothe both whether and when.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Dindan, the ding-dong, or ringing out of bells.
1859 Independent (N.Y.) 9 June 6/4 She went about her duties cheerfully, listening to the bell's ding-dong.
1900 Daily Express 25 July 7/1 The quaint little church in the centre, from the belfry of which a skilful operator clangs out a peal of ding-dongs at intervals throughout the day.
1911 Jrnl. Amer. Folk-lore 24 382 Get up in mornin' when ding-dong rings.
1984 Washington Post (Nexis) 28 June (Final ed.) b2 On one train on Tuesday, the ding-dong did, in fact, precede the door closing.
2017 Irish News (Nexis) 7 Sept. 71 In the build-up to important matches, Gaelic players..avoid reading papers, Facebook and Twitter accounts are frozen, mobile phones are diverted to answering machines and the ding-dong of a doorbell is ignored.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [noun]
darlingc888
belamy?c1225
culver?c1225
dearc1230
sweetheartc1290
heartc1300
sweetc1330
honeya1375
dovec1386
jewelc1400
birdc1405
cinnamonc1405
honeycombc1405
lovec1405
wantonc1450
mulling?a1475
daisyc1485
crowdy-mowdy?a1513
honeysop?a1513
powsowdie?a1513
suckler?a1513
foolc1525
buttinga1529
whitinga1529
beautiful1534
turtle-dove1535
soula1538
heartikin1540
bully?1548
turtle1548
lamba1556
nyletc1557
sweet-lovea1560
coz1563
ding-ding1564
pugs1566
golpol1568
sparling1570
lover1573
pug1580
bulkin1582
mopsy1582
chuck1589
bonny1594
chick1594
sweetikin1596
ladybird1597
angel1598
muss1598
pinkany1599
sweetkin1599
duck1600
joy1600
sparrowc1600
sucket1605
nutting1606
chuckaby1607
tickling1607
bagpudding1608
heartling1608
chucking1609
dainty1611
flittermouse1612
honeysuckle1613
fubs1614
bawcocka1616
pretty1616
old thinga1625
bun1627
duckling1630
bulchin1633
bulch?c1640
sweetling1648
friscoa1652
ding-dongs1662
buntinga1668
cocky1680
dearie1681
chucky1683
lovey1684
machree1689
nykin1693
pinkaninny1696
nug1699
hinny1724
puss1753
pet1767
dovey1769
sweetie1778
lovey-dovey1781
lovely1791
ducky1819
toy1822
acushla1825
alanna1825
treat1825
amigo1830
honey child1832
macushla1834
cabbage1840
honey-bunch1874
angel pie1878
m'dear1887
bach1889
honey baby1895
prawn1895
hon1896
so-and-so1897
cariad1899
pumpkin1900
honey-bun1902
pussums1912
snookums1919
treasure1920
wogger1922
amico1929
sugar1930
baby cake1949
angel cake1951
lamb-chop1962
petal1974
bae2006
1662 Wits 83 Let Philaster be deeper in request, my ding-dongs, my paires of dear Indentures, King of Clubs.
c. With reference to a clock: the sound of two bells of different pitch struck alternately to indicate the quarters of the hour; an instance of this.
ΚΠ
1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel I. i. 23 O! St. Dunstan [church clock] has caught his eye..he stands astonished, as old Adam and Eve ply their ding-dong.
1860 E. B. Denison Clocks & Watches & Bells (ed. 4) 171 This may be..made to indicate half quarters, for..at about 50 min. past the hour..the clock would strike 3 ding dongs and one bell more.
1903 Reliquary Jan. 34 These specimens [sc. two bells of the Edwardian period] when in Wells Cathedral were hung in recesses, and the ‘ding-dong’ quarters struck upon them by the carved oak figures shown in the illustration.
2010 C. McKay Big Ben viii. 89/1 Most British turret clocks up to the mid-nineteenth century simply struck the hours, but some sounded every quarter of an hour, using two bells to give ding-dong (or ting tang).
2. A jingling rhyme in verse or song (cf. ting-tang n. 3). Also [rhyming slang] : a song; an informal session of singing, a sing-song.Use in reference to an informal session of singing is sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense B. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > rhyme > [noun] > jingling of rhyme
jargon1570
jingle1661
chimea1674
ting-tang1686
ding-dong1709
clinka1716
tinkle1776
tintinnabulum1782
tink1890
1709 Brit. Apollo 23–25 Nov. Her Sing-Songs..sound as well as Country Ding-Dongs.
1834 T. Hood in Comic Ann. 59 If the bell Would ring her knell, I'd make a gay ding dong of it.
1854 R. W. Emerson Poetry & Imag. in Wks. (1906) III. 160 They do not longer value rattles and ding-dongs, or barbaric word-jingle.
1900 Sporting Times 17 Nov. 1/4 I love 'er, yus, I love 'er, as they say in the ding-dong.
1979 R. Barker Fletcher's Bk. Rhyming Slang 39 Having a bit of a ding-dong round the old Joanna.
3. colloquial. Chiefly British.
a. A fight or dispute; (now) esp. a heated argument or quarrel. Later also: the vigorous or lively exchange of blows or (in extended use) views; ‘cut and thrust’.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > [noun] > a quarrel
controversy1448
tencion?1473
brulyie1531
pique1532
feudc1565
quarrel1566
jar1583
controverse1596
brack1600
outcast1620
rixation1623
controversarya1635
simultya1637
outfall1647
outfallingc1650
controversion1658
démêlé1661
embroilment1667
strut1677
risse1684
rubber1688
fray1702
brulyiement1718
fallout1725
tossa1732
embroil1742
ding-dong?1760
pilget1777
fratch1805
spar1836
splutter1838
bust-up1842
whid1847
chip1854
kass-kass1873
wap1887
run-in1894
go-round1898
blue1943
hassle1945
square-up?1949
ruck1958
?1760 Nightingale 109 The boisterous knave, Who pretends to be brave, And boasts of his fights and ding dongs; When put to the test, How fallen his crest, And his courage a song upon songs.
1851 Bell's Life in Sydney 31 May 1/6 Noon propped his man but seemed tender of his right. Massey rushed to work, and ding-dong was the order of the day.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xi. [Sirens] 260 Yes, she was back. To the old dingdong again.
1928 Manch. Guardian Weekly 19 Oct. 301/1 Accustomed to cut a good figure in the ding-dong of public argument.
1933 H. Belloc Charles I 351 A ding-dong of assertion and counter-assertion.
2010 Independent on Sunday 29 Aug. 43/3 Feuding authors Allan Massie and Philip Kerr have kissed and made up after a magnificent ding-dong earlier this summer.
b. A noisy or riotous party or other gathering.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > social gathering > [noun] > lively or rowdy
racket1745
rooty-toot1852
razoo1864
shindig1871
ram sammy1891
whoopee1909
ding-dong1936
clambake1937
knees-up1939
rave1960
rave-up1967
bashment1996
1936 N. Coward Hands across Sea in To-night at 8.30 II. 18 Are you going to Nina's Indian ding-dong?
1961 A. Smith East-Enders vi. 93 The sons and daughters..coming up for a ding-dong which went on till far into the night.
2000 Guardian 1 Jan. (Guide section) 18/1 Big up to everyone who went clubbing on NYEY2K and made it such a mental booyaka ding dong.
4. slang (originally U.S.). The penis. Cf. ding n.6, dong n.3
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > sex organs > male sex organs > [noun] > penis
weapona1000
tarsec1000
pintleOE
cock?c1335
pillicock?c1335
yard1379
arrowa1382
looma1400
vergea1400
instrumentc1405
fidcocka1475
privya1500
virile member (or yard)?1541
prickc1555
tool1563
pillock1568
penis1578
codpiece1584
needle1592
bauble1593
dildo1597
nag1598
virility1598
ferret1599
rubigo?a1600
Jack1604
mentula1605
virge1608
prependent1610
flute1611
other thing1628
engine1634
manhood1640
cod1650
quillity1653
rammer1653
runnion1655
pego1663
sex1664
propagator1670
membrum virile1672
nervea1680
whore-pipe1684
Roger1689
pudding1693
handle?1731
machine1749
shaft1772
jock1790
poker1811
dickyc1815
Johnny?1833
organ1833
intromittent apparatus1836
root1846
Johnson1863
Peter1870
John Henry1874
dickc1890
dingusc1890
John Thomasc1890
old fellowc1890
Aaron's rod1891
dingle-dangle1893
middle leg1896
mole1896
pisser1896
micky1898
baby-maker1902
old man1902
pecker1902
pizzle1902
willy1905
ding-dong1906
mickey1909
pencil1916
dingbatc1920
plonkerc1920
Johna1922
whangera1922
knob1922
tube1922
ding1926
pee-pee1927
prong1927
pud1927
hose1928
whang1928
dong1930
putz1934
porkc1935
wiener1935
weenie1939
length1949
tadger1949
winkle1951
dinger1953
winky1954
dork1961
virilia1962
rig1964
wee-wee1964
Percy1965
meat tool1966
chopper1967
schlong1967
swipe1967
chode1968
trouser snake1968
ding-a-ling1969
dipstick1970
tonk1970
noonies1972
salami1977
monkey1978
langer1983
wanker1987
1906 Bawdy N.Y. State MS (typescript) 51 in www.horntip.com (accessed 3 Jan. 2018) One hand grasped a knife, and the other my old ding dong, And off came old ginger bread nine inches long.
1966 J. Shearer Male Hustler 27 He kept sitting around and trying to figure out what all this excitement was about over his erect ding-dong.
2016 @misterjumpyfox 29 Aug. in twitter.com (accessed 3 Jan. 2020) My ding dong just got caught in my zipper! Ouch!
5. slang (originally U.S.). A worthless, stupid, insane, or wildly eccentric person. Cf. dingbat n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > mentally ill person > [noun]
neuropath1887
ding-dong1929
pathological1931
nutcake1953
nut job1959
sicknik1959
nutball1968
sickie1973
sicko1977
wackadoo1979
wackadoodle1991
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]
asseOE
sotc1000
beastc1225
long-ear?a1300
stock1303
buzzard1377
mis-feelinga1382
dasarta1400
stonea1400
dasiberd14..
dottlec1400
doddypoll1401
dastardc1440
dotterel1440
dullardc1440
wantwit1449
jobardc1475
nollc1475
assheada1500
mulea1500
dull-pate15..
peak1509
dulbert?a1513
doddy-patec1525
noddypolla1529
hammer-head1532
dull-head?1534
capon1542
dolt1543
blockhead1549
cod's head1549
mome1550
grout-head1551
gander1553
skit-brains?1553
blocka1556
calfa1556
tomfool1565
dunce1567
druggard1569
cobble1570
dummel1570
Essex calf1573
jolthead1573
hardhead1576
beetle-head1577
dor-head1577
groutnoll1578
grosshead1580
thickskin1582
noddyship?1589
jobbernowl1592
beetle-brain1593
Dorbel1593
oatmeal-groat1594
loggerhead1595
block-pate1598
cittern-head1598
noddypoop1598
dorbellist1599
numps1599
dor1601
stump1602
ram-head1605
look-like-a-goose1606
ruff1606
clod1607
turf1607
asinego1609
clot-poll1609
doddiea1611
druggle1611
duncecomb1612
ox-head1613
clod-polla1616
dulman1615
jolterhead1620
bullhead1624
dunderwhelpa1625
dunderhead1630
macaroona1631
clod-patea1635
clota1637
dildo1638
clot-pate1640
stupid1640
clod-head1644
stub1644
simpletonian1652
bottle-head1654
Bœotiana1657
vappe1657
lackwit1668
cudden1673
plant-animal1673
dolt-head1679
cabbage head1682
put1688
a piece of wood1691
ouphe1694
dunderpate1697
numbskull1697
leather-head1699
nocky1699
Tom Cony1699
mopus1700
bluff-head1703
clod skull1707
dunny1709
dowf1722
stupe1722
gamphrel1729
gobbin?1746
duncehead1749
half-wit1755
thick-skull1755
jackass1756
woollen-head1756
numbhead1757
beef-head1775
granny1776
stupid-head1792
stunpolla1794
timber-head1794
wether heada1796
dummy1796
noghead1800
staumrel1802
muttonhead1803
num1807
dummkopf1809
tumphya1813
cod's head and shoulders1820
stoopid1823
thick-head1824
gype1825
stob1825
stookiea1828
woodenhead1831
ning-nong1832
log-head1834
fat-head1835
dunderheadism1836
turnip1837
mudhead1838
donkey1840
stupex1843
cabbage1844
morepork1845
lubber-head1847
slowpoke1847
stupiditarian1850
pudding-head1851
cod's head and shoulders1852
putty head1853
moke1855
mullet-head1855
pothead1855
mug1857
thick1857
boodle1862
meathead1863
missing link1863
half-baked1866
lunk1867
turnip-head1869
rummy1872
pumpkin-head1876
tattie1879
chump1883
dully1883
cretin1884
lunkhead1884
mopstick1886
dumbhead1887
peanut head1891
pie-face1891
doughbakea1895
butt-head1896
pinhead1896
cheesehead1900
nyamps1900
box head1902
bonehead1903
chickenhead1903
thickwit1904
cluck1906
boob1907
John1908
mooch1910
nitwit1910
dikkop1913
goop1914
goofus1916
rumdum1916
bone dome1917
moron1917
oik1917
jabroni1919
dumb-bell1920
knob1920
goon1921
dimwit1922
ivory dome1923
stone jug1923
dingleberry1924
gimp1924
bird brain1926
jughead1926
cloth-head1927
dumb1928
gazook1928
mouldwarp1928
ding-dong1929
stupido1929
mook1930
sparrow-brain1930
knobhead1931
dip1932
drip1932
epsilon1932
bohunkus1933
Nimrod1933
dumbass1934
zombie1936
pea-brain1938
knot-head1940
schlump1941
jarhead1942
Joe Soap1943
knuckle-head1944
nong1944
lame-brain1945
gobshite1946
rock-head1947
potato head1948
jerko1949
turkey1951
momo1953
poop-head1955
a right one1958
bam1959
nong-nong1959
dickhead1960
dumbo1960
Herbert1960
lamer1961
bampot1962
dipshit1963
bamstick1965
doofus1965
dick1966
pillock1967
zipperhead1967
dipstick1968
thickie1968
poephol1969
yo-yo1970
doof1971
cockhead1972
nully1973
thicko1976
wazzock1976
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
no-brainer1979
jerkwad1980
woodentop1981
dickwad1983
dough ball1983
dickweed1984
bawheid1985
numpty1985
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
knob-end1989
Muppet1989
dingus1997
dicksack1999
eight ball-
1929 F. Shay Drawn from Wood iv. 74 I'm just a dumb ding-dong, Walking my poor life away.
1973 R. Boone in B. Thomas Brando p. vii. He is the greatest American actor of my time, and if the word genius can be applied to acting, then he is a genius. He is also a complete ding-dong.
2012 Charleston (W. Virginia) Gaz. (Nexis) 3 June d3 Security [at a golf tournament] is an obvious concern. Crowd control,..throttling those ding-dongs who snap cell-phone pictures during the man's backswing.
C. adv.
colloquial. In a vigorous or determined manner; (later) esp. (with reference to a contest, fight, dispute, etc.) with a rapid or furious exchange of blows or views; in an evenly matched and hard-fought manner. Cf. sense D. 2.Sometimes also with connotations of chaos or disorder.Rare in North American use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb]
hardlyeOE
strongeOE
hardOE
fastOE
starklyOE
stalworthlyc1175
starkc1225
mainlyc1300
fellc1330
snellc1330
stout1338
wightlya1340
sadlya1375
sharplyc1380
tough1398
stoutly1399
throa1400
wighta1400
lustilyc1400
sorec1400
vigourslyc1400
stiff1422
vigoriouslya1450
vigorouslya1450
actuallya1470
stourlyc1480
forcely?a1500
lustly1529
fricklyc1540
dingilya1555
livelily?1565
crankly1566
forcibly1578
crank1579
wightily?a1600
proudly1600
energetically1609
stiffly1623
ding-dong1628
greenly1633
hard and fast1646
slashingly1659
thwackingly1660
warmlya1684
robustly1709
sonsily1729
forcefullya1774
vim1843
zippily1924
vibrantly1926
punchily1934
zingily1951
1628 L. Owen Vnmasking Popish Monks 96 The Iesuites by the merit of Ignatius can cast out deuils ding dong.
1672 R. Wild Poetica Licentia in Let. Declar. Liberty Conscience 29 Their learned men will write Ding-dong.
1787 W. Beckford Portuguese Jrnl. 7 July (1954) 125 In my way back, who should I meet but my adversary Walpole driving ding-dong to the Secretary's.
1825 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) II. 207 I shall set to work at the ‘Heiress’ ding-dong.
1870 C. Dickens Let. 25 Apr. (2002) XII. 512 I have been most perseveringly and ding-dong-doggedly at work.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses 329 So anyhow when I got back they were at it dingdong.
1999 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 15 May Many Labour supporters have nothing but loathing for the Lib Dems, especially in constituencies and councils where they have been fighting ding-dong for years.
D. adj.
1. Of, relating to, resembling, or characterized by the sound of bells (often two of different pitch rung alternately) or a jingling rhyme (cf. sense B. 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > rhyme > [adjective] > jingling
tinkling1625
ding-dong1628
chiming1648
jinglya1806
jingling1841
tintinnabulant1865
1628 W. Folkingham Panala Medica 93 Another dights-vp Auisoes Doore with the Ding-dong Prouerb, Pro Febre Quartana ràrò sonat Campana.
c1793 R. Southey Devil's Walk 39 In ding-dong chime of sing-song rhyme.
1803 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) I. 9 You complain of the bells at Portslade, dingdong spot.
1852 Dwight's Jrnl. Music 2 Oct. 202/2 The milk-man mixes it up strangely with the harsh ding-dong accompaniment of his tireless bell.
2018 Daily Mail (Nexis) 25 May At this, whichever boy it was would stare at his shoes and chant, slowly and grudgingly, in the ding-dong tones of the Avon lady's doorbell chimes: ‘Thanggg... Kyeeew.’
2. colloquial. Vigorous, determined; (later) esp. (of a contest, fight, dispute, etc.) characterized by a rapid or furious exchange of blows or views; evenly matched and hard-fought; (of a race) very closely contested, nip and tuck. Cf. sense C.rare in North American use.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > contention or strife > [adjective] > that is the subject of contention > strongly contested
stiffc1250
hard-fought1633
well-disputed1654
pull devil, pull baker (also parson, tailor, etc.)1778
ding-dong1795
1795 W. H. Ireland in B. Grebanier Great Shakespeare Forgery (1966) 153 He likewise very often says his mind loaths the confined dingdong study of the law & yet says he will remain quiet till a proper opportunity.
1864 Daily Tel. 7 Dec. A ding-dong race ensued for the remainder of the distance.
1879 Pall Mall Budget 17 Oct. 22 To read the..story of that ding-dong fighting.
1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leics. 333 By help of example and ding-dong determination.
1950 Sport 24 Mar. 21/1 It is a ding dong battle between the managers themselves.
2015 Worcester News (Nexis) 10 Mar. The second weekly hustings event took place at the Cap 'N' Gown pub last night, with another packed boozer treated to a ding-dong debate between the hopefuls.
3. colloquial (originally English regional, later chiefly Australian). Excellent, great; extraordinary; exciting.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
the mind > emotion > excitement > exciting > [adjective]
stirring1421
excitative1490
rousing1576
animating1595
excitant1608
exciteful?1615
spirit-stirringa1616
spiritous1624
excitatinga1643
exagitating1646
fermentive1656
awakening1694
electrifying1746
upstirring1751
electrical1760
thrilling1768
excitive1774
proceleusmatic1775
electric1789
inspiriting1796
fermentitious1807
exciting1811
red-hot1835
hair-raising1838
suscitating1840
arousing1841
sizzling1845
zesty1853
excitory1861
throbbing1864
buzzing1882
ding-dong1887
thrillful1887
stir-up1890
large1895
thrilly1896
high voltage1909
voltaic1920
sizzly1936
Boy's Own1967
hot shit1967
crunk1995
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire 171 I've gotten a job..; the wages bin nothin' very ding-dong.
a1950 E. P. F. Lynch Somme Mud (2006) xix. 323 A real ding-dong sit-down dinner with free beer.
1969 Telegraph (Brisbane) 16 July 67/6 A ding-dong, swinging, skillful, highly informative session.
2003 Austral. Financial Rev. (Sydney) 2 Sept. 25/2 (headline) Grasso has ding-dong pay packet.
Compounds
ding-dong-dash n. chiefly North American = ding-dong-ditch n.
ΚΠ
1972 Star-Tribune (Markham, Illinois) 5 Oct. 8/1 Occasionally you'll find a couple of kids playing scrabble or monopoly on a rainy day, but it's much more fun to play ding-dong-dash.
2011 Metro (Nexis) 27 July 17 Knock down ginger: You rap on an unsuspecting soul's door, before fleeing. Also known as knickknocking, ding-dong-dash or ring-the-bell-and-run-like-ell.
ding-dong-ditch n. chiefly North American a game or prank, typically played by children, in which a person rings or knocks at the door of a house and then runs away before the occupant comes to answer it; cf. knock down ginger n. at knock-down adj. and n. Additions.
ΚΠ
1980 G. A. Fine in H. C. Foot et al. Friendship & Social Relations in Children xi. 302 Aggressive pranks:..egging a house;..making a funny phone-call;..playing Ding Dong Ditch—ringing a doorbell and running away.
2012 Atlantic Online (Nexis) 31 Oct. ‘Criminal mischief’ includes..fully reversible pranks, like toilet-papering a house. In some states, it covers even vanishingly minor annoyances, like ding-dong-ditch.
ding-dong theory n. now chiefly historical (a humorous or mocking name for) the theory that human speech originated in phonetic expression naturally given to an idea as it is formed in the mind for the first time, this process being likened to something sonorous naturally making a ringing sound when struck.Similar names have been given to some other theories of the origin of human speech; cf. bow-wow theory at bow-wow int. and n. 2b, pooh-pooh theory n. at pooh pooh int. and n. Compounds 2, yo-he-ho theory n. at yo-he-ho n. Compounds.
ΚΠ
1867 W. D. Whitney Lang. & Study of Lang. xi. 427 Professor Max Müller..adopts from a German authority (Professor Heyse, of Berlin) a third [theory], which is, abridged from his own statement, as follows: ‘There is a law..that everything which is struck rings... It was the same with man..’—and so on. Man possessed an instinctive ‘faculty for giving articulate expression to the rational conceptions of his mind.’.. This..has been very appositely termed ‘the ding-dong theory’.
1872 A. J. Ellis President's Addr. to Philol. Soc. 13 The Ding-dong theory has, so far as I know, received no other name; let us call it symphonesis.
1939 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 52 145 The ‘ding-dong’ theory is regarded as similar to the divine origin theory and as mysterious and absurd.
2013 Rev. Eng. Stud. 64 655 The faith Müller confesses here in an ‘essential, primordial psycho-physical nexus between sound and meaning’ was rapidly nicknamed the ‘ding-dong theory’, after the contemptuous nicknames he gave to rival theories that language originated in onomatopoeia (the ‘Bow-wow theory’), or in involuntary emotive interjections (the ‘Pooh-pooh theory’).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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v.1659
int.n.adv.adj.?1577