a
suffix forming
nouns or
adjectives, sometimes a diminutive of the base
word and usually confined to informal and jocular use
(bitsy; footsie; halvsies); adjectives formed with
-sy, may be ironic, implying that the quality in question is self-consciously assumed or feigned
(artsy; cutesy; folksy). The combination of
-s3. and
-y1. or
-y2. in certain words
(antsy; gutsy) should perhaps be considered further instances of this suffix.
Origin:
perhaps orig. two distinct suffixes, one diminutive (as in Betsy, popsy, tootsy) and the other adjectival; sources of both are uncertain
