doodah slang.
(ˈduːdɑː)
Also do-da, dooda.
[From the refrain doo-da(h) of the plantation song ‘Camptown Races’.]
1. Phr. all of a doodah: in a state of excitement; dithering.
| 1915 H. Rosher In R.N.A.S. (1916) 97, I had lunch with the R—s and five daughters (swish, I was all of a doo-da!). 1918 Chambers's Jrnl. May 299/1, I feel all of a doo-dah, all of a wonk. 1928 S. Vines Humours Unreconciled xiii. 165 It was the evenings, clearly, that made her ‘all of a religious doodah’. 1929 J. B. Priestley Good Comp. ii. iii. 307, I don't care if a man's been fifty years in the business, there's the same old thrill comes back. Opening night —all of a doodah! 1952 Wodehouse Pigs have Wings i. 28 Poor old Clarence was patently all of a doodah. |
2. = doodad.
| 1928 D. L. Sayers Unpleasantness at Bellona Club v. 45 D'you mind stickin' all those dark-slides into one pocket and a few odd lenses and doodahs into the other? a 1935 T. E. Lawrence Mint (1950) iii. i. 166 The old lady next me in the underground wore a flippant skirt, all doo-dahs. 1945 Salt 26 Feb. 16/1 A bit of a kid done up, in trousers with do-da's danging on 'em. 1957 H. Croome Forgotten Place 68 They make little plastic doodahs to use in electrical machinery. |