ˈup-a-daisy, int. Now dial. or colloq.
Also 8 -dazy, 8–9 -daisey.
[f. up adv.1: cf. upsidaisy and dial. upaday. For the ending, cf. lackadaisy and (a)lack-a-day.]
An exclamation made to a child on encouraging or assisting it to rise from a fall, etc., or to surmount an obstacle, or when raising it in the arms or jerking it into the air.
| 1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 5 Feb., Come stand away, let me rise... Is there a good fire?—So—up a-dazy. 1756 W. Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans II. 24 ‘Up-a-daisey,’ said Miss Bella, and then..gave him a push behind. 1854 A. E. Baker Northampt. Gloss. 370 Up-a-daisy, a fondling expression of a nurse to a child whilst lifting it from the ground, encouraging it to assist itself in rising. 1899 G. Ford 'Postle Farm ix. 43 ‘Up-a-daisy!’ said Annie, as the fat little legs struggled to mount the steps. |