American English Podcast

161 - 10 Words a Day: Handy-Dandy Reduplications

Mar 17, 2024

Discover the fun and practicality of reduplications in English, from 'handy dandy' to 'chit chat'. Explore how these rhythmic phrases add emphasis and playfulness to language, with valuable tips for everyday use. Delve into rhyming reduplications like 'itsy bitsy' and 'super duper', and understand the nuances of 'chit chat' and 'mishmash'. Learn how reduplications intensify language, whether in baby talk or adult interactions, and spice up your English conversations with these colorful expressions.

26:45

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Quick takeaways

Reduplications in English, like 'handy-dandy,' add emphasis and playfulness to everyday language.

Reduplications, such as 'itsy bitsy teeny weeny,' vividly highlight the small or diminutive nature of objects.

Deep dives

Handy Dandy - Extremely Useful or Practical

Handy Dandy, a reduplication, means extremely useful or practical. It's often used to describe tools or gadgets that help solve problems efficiently. For example, having a Handy Dandy app on your phone can aid in quick translations. The term adds a playful and emphatic touch to the description of everyday items, like a Handy Dandy tool for picking pickles or olives from a jar.

Introduction

4min

Exploring the Concept of 'Handy Dandy' and Practical Gadgets

2min

Exploring Rhyming Reduplications in Everyday Language

11min

Exploring Chit Chat, Mishmash, and Exact Reduplications

3min

Exploring the Emphasis and Intensification of Reduplications in Language

4min

I know, I know, 99% of you are saying what in the world is that? What in the world is a reduplication?

Well I just told you one: Handy-dandy. Handy by itself means useful or practical, in American English you can add dandy for emphasis, intensification and to give it a playful and poetic effect. Handy-dandy is a reduplication.

In English, you’ll hear reduplications in songs and casual conversation! Many times it just involves repeating the first word and changing one consonant or one vowel, like handy dandy, flip flop or chit chat. Sometimes you’ll actually hear the exact same word repeated, like boo-boo or yo-yo. Sometimes reduplications rhyme, but not always. Yet, there is always a certain rhythmic nature to them.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like rhythm!? If you want to add some spice and flavor to the way you talk in English, keep listening! Today, we’ll go through 10 Common Reduplications and how to use them in everyday contexts.

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