7

I was astonished to learn that the word lacksadaisical or laxadaisical is both misspelled and mispronounced. It is still commonly used in Southern Africa (with the same meaning), whereas it is rare to hear the correct lackadaisical in mainstream use.

Does anyone have insight into the origin of lacksadaisical?

Improve this question
10
  • 6
    Probably it got started when somebody who was not familiar with the word misheard it and then tried to use it with other people who were not familiar with it either. And when trying to make sense of the word, associated with the word lax.
    – Jim
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 5:15
  • 1
    @Jim: I couldn't find them in dictionaries(OED, NOAD, etc.). Are they really words?
    – Noah
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 5:19
  • 1
    @Noah As the OP notes, they are common misspellings and mispronunciations of lackadaisical. You won't find an erroneous version in the dictionary except perhaps to indicate that it is a common typo.
    – coleopterist
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 5:46
  • 1
    If we are to take the question as presented, Jim's comment above is the only answer given so far. The rep-earning answers below explain lackadaisical, which doesn't address the question at all. (Whether it is a fair question to ask is another matter.)
    – John Y
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 7:28
  • 1
    I don't know the origins/etymology but we definitely say lacksadaisical in the north of England!
    – user83178
    Commented Jul 6, 2014 at 12:14

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

The OED spells it as lackadaisical and defines it as

Resembling one who is given to crying 'Lackaday!'; full of vapid feeling or sentiment; affectedly languishing. Said of persons, their behaviour, manners, and utterances.

The first recorded use is in 1768. It is derived from lackadaisy (first recorded in 1748), which in turn comes from lack-a-day, a version of alack the day! or alack-a-day!, originally used to mean ‘Shame or reproach to the day! Woe worth the day!’ but in later usage an expression of surprise (same source).

Variant spellings and pronunciations in South Africa or elsewhere don't surprise me, given the word's chequered history.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks Barrie - I guess this is lost in the mists of time. I will take great pleasure in correcting my colleagues (or boss :) next time I hear it.
    – StuartLC
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 12:58
-1

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English mentions the following meaning and origin.

Meaning:

lack‧​a‧​dai‧​si‧​cal /ˌ​lækəˈdeɪzɪkəl◂/
not showing enough interest in something or not putting enough effort into it:

Origin:

lackadaisical
Date: 1700–1800
Origin: lackaday expression of sadness (17–19 centuries), from alack the day

Pay attention to the correct spelling and pronunciation.

Improve this answer
1
  • 2
    Am fully aware of the correct spelling and meaning, as my OP suggests, however the question revolves around the origin of the mispronunciation which has become widespread in Southern Africa.
    – StuartLC
    Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 6:25

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .