Origin uncertain, though likely derived from doodle, perhaps with reference to the fashionable “Yankee Doodle dandy” in the 18th-century lyrics of the song “Yankee Doodle”; the word is first attested in 1883 as a New York City slang term of contempt for a “fastidious man, fop”.
It has also been suggested that the word is derived from dudes (“old rags”; compare duds) and dudesman, or possibly related to dawdle; to German Low German Dudeldop, Dudendop, from Middle Low German dudendop ("cuckold; simpleton"); or to Saterland Frisian Duddigegen ("idiot"). It has also been suggested the word derives from the Irish dúid.
The common claim that the term derives from (or is) a word for a camel's foreskin (or some other vulgar thing, like a hair on a cow, horse, donkey, or elephant's bottom) is false.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.