-sy

\\sē, si\ noun suffix (-es)

Etymology: -s (I) + -y

: small one : one affectionately regarded

mopsy

popsy

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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.

[perh. orig. two distinct suffixes, one diminutive (as in Betsy, popsy, tootsy) and the other adjectival; sources of both are uncert.]

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suffix forming diminutive nouns and adjectives such as folksy, mopsy, also nicknames or hypocoristics such as Patsy

Origin:

variant of -y II

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-sy

hypocoristic dim. suffix added to (i) proper names, as Betsy, Patsy, Topsy, also in the form -cy, as Nancy, (ii) common nouns, as babsy, ducksy, mopsy, petsy, popsy (popsy-wopsy). In adjectival formations expressing a degree of mocking contempt, as artsy-and-craftsy, artsy-fartsy, backwoodsy, bitsy, booksy, folksy, itsy-bitsy, teensy, etc., the suffix may be considered to represent a nursery form (cf. -y⁶), or the pl. (or even a singular ending) in -s + -y¹.