Pressies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Informal term for gifts or presents given on special occasions ; the act of giving wrapped items to express affection or celebration ; commonly used in casual speech to denote tokens of appreciation or festivity
2. A colloquial expression referring to wrapped items given to others as a sign of goodwill or celebration ; denotes the practice of exchanging tangible tokens during holidays or events ; frequently used in informal contexts to mean small or large gifts
3. Slang for presents exchanged during birthdays, holidays, or other events ; implies the items given to someone to mark a special occasion or gesture of kindness ; often employed in conversational language to signify surprise or gratitude items

Etymology: "Pressies" is the plural of "pressie", a British and Australian informal word for a present. The noun is a clipping of "present" with the diminutive or affectionate ending "-ie", the same ending found in words like "hankie" and "brekkie". Its stem is the first syllable of "present", which is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, so the clipping keeps the familiar opening and drops the rest. The -ie ending itself has a long history in English. It descends from an old Germanic suffix that appeared in Old English as "-iġ" and became "-y" in Middle English, a spelling that later turned into "-ie" in informal writing. Clipped words ending in this sound are a distinctive feature of British and Australian speech, which is why the word feels so at home in casual conversation about birthdays and Christmas shopping.

Synonyms: presents, gifts, presents, offerings, donations