hedgehoggy

English

Etymology

hedgehog +‎ -y

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɛd͡ʒhɒɡi/

Adjective

hedgehoggy (comparative more hedgehoggy, superlative most hedgehoggy)

1. (informal) Of the nature of a hedgehog: externally repellent; difficult to get on with.
   • 1858, Motley, Corr., volume I, published 1889, page 266:

     ‘Why is it that we English, when we meet abroad, are so very friendly, and when we reappear in London are so very hedgyhoggy?’ I told her that the reason why there was no hedgehogginess on this occasion was because I was not an Englishman.

   • 1866, Ruskin, Eth. Dust, published 1883, page 101:

     So your hedgehoggy readers roll themselves over and over their Bibles, and declare that whatever sticks to their own spines is Scripture.

   • 1882, Spurgeon, Chr. World Pulpit, volume XXII, page 163:

     Get near some of those dear hedgehoggy brethren, and go and make a pillow of them.

Derived terms

• hedgehogginess

Translations

of the nature of hedgehogs

Further reading

• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Hedgehoggy, a.”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes V (H–K), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 189, column 1.