Nonny

Part of speech: interjection

Definitions

1. A meaningless filler syllable sung in old songs and ballads, often in a refrain with no real sense
2. A nonsense sound or sung syllable used as a filler in traditional refrains that carries no literal meaning
3. Meaningless vocal filler found in old English songs, typically repeated in a refrain for rhythm rather than meaning

Etymology: "Nonny" is an interjection, the kind of filler word that turns up in old songs and nonsense verse, most famously in the refrain "Hey nonny nonny." Its history is simple: it is a diminutive of "anonymous," with the familiar "-y" ending added to it. The shortened form works the way many affectionate nicknames do. "Anonymous" describes someone whose name is unknown or withheld, and clipping it to "nonny" and adding "-y" turns that formal adjective into a playful, lighthearted sound. Once it had lost its connection to the word it came from, it was free to serve as a nonsense syllable that fills out a line of verse and carries a song's rhythm.