Etymology

charidee

C3H4A1R1I1D2E1E1

Today it means: Conspicuous charity, seen as being driven by a non-altruistic (especially self-promotional) motive. Full definition →

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The story

From the Mid-Atlantic English pronunciation of charity. First popularized by Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse in their "Smashie and Nicey" sketches from the BBC sketch show Harry Enfield's Television Programme.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.