SINGSONG

views updated May 29 2018

SINGSONG, also sing-song. A usually disparaging or condescending term for a rhythm or tone regarded as musical but monotonous and considered typical of certain ACCENTS, such as those of speakers of English in Wales and parts of Asia: ‘A trace of Holyhead Welsh to his sing-song accent’ ( Ian Thomson, Independent, 29 Dec. 1990). See PHILIPPINE ENGLISH, SINGAPORE ENGLISH, WELSH ENGLISH.

singsong

views updated May 23 2018

sing·song / ˈsingˌsông/ (also sing-song) • adj. (of a person's voice) having a repeated rising and falling rhythm: the singsong voices of children reciting tables.• n. [in sing.] a singsong way of speaking.

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