palsy-walsy
Like close buddies
Palsy-walsy describes exaggerated friendliness, often with a hint of insincerity or suspicion about motives: They got all palsy-walsy after finding out he was rich.
The reduplication of pal suggests coziness pushed past the point of genuine warmth.
Sometimes spelled palsy walsy or pally-wally.
Conspicuously warm and familiar
- mateyInformal British address
- cozyWarm and snug
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
- companionableFriendly and agreeable
amicable · cordial · affable · congenial · sociable · gregarious · convivial · jovial
Fraudulent person or thing
- fakeNot the real thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- artificialMade, not natural
contrived · duplicitous · superficial · pretend · sham · two-faced · hypocritical · false
Flowing out forcefully
- backslappingExuberant physical congratulation
- pushyUnpleasantly forceful in manner
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
- smotheringDepriving of air
excessive · overbearing · intrusive · presumptuous · forward · touchy-feely · handsy · clingy
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
toadying · bootlicking · smarmy · grovelling · kowtowing · flattering · oleaginous · brownnosing
Frivolous or absurd
- rhymingSharing terminal sounds
- folksyInformally friendly and simple
- whimsicalPlayfully fanciful or erratic
- jocularInclined to jest
informal · colloquial · lighthearted · tongue-in-cheek · humorous · breezy · casual · cutesy
buddy-buddy
Conspicuously warm and familiar
companionable · amicable · cordial · affable · congenial · sociable · gregarious · convivial · jovial · collegial
phony
Fraudulent person or thing
- fakeNot the real thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
artificial · contrived · duplicitous · superficial · pretend · sham · two-faced · hypocritical · false · slick
gushing
Flowing out forcefully
- backslappingExuberant physical congratulation
- pushyUnpleasantly forceful in manner
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
smothering · excessive · overbearing · intrusive · presumptuous · forward · touchy-feely · handsy · clingy
sycophantic
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
servile · toadying · bootlicking · smarmy · grovelling · kowtowing · flattering · oleaginous · brownnosing · apple-polishing
silly
Frivolous or absurd
- rhymingSharing terminal sounds
- folksyInformally friendly and simple
- whimsicalPlayfully fanciful or erratic
jocular · informal · colloquial · lighthearted · tongue-in-cheek · humorous · breezy · casual · cutesy
palsy-walsyhostile
Aggressively unfriendly
unfriendly · antagonistic · cold · icy · frosty