   Cuttin’ DidosIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "cuttin’ didos" (or "cutting didoes") means acting up, showing off, or carrying on foolishly. It’s a colorful old-time expression for antics or clowning around. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I heard ‘cuttin’ didos’ lots growin' up. But it's more of an old timers thing these days. Pronunciation[KUT-in DIE-doze] or [KUT-in DEE-doze] Meaning & Usage- Acting up, clowning around, showing off (verb phrase / idiom)
Mae:
What’s all that racket?
Earl:
Just the young’uns cuttin’ didos.other spellings: cutting didoes, cutting didos, and ★ "Cuttin’ didos" is a playful way to describe someone’s antics. It’s a Southern/Appalachian survival of an older English phrase meaning "to caper about." ★ OriginDocumented in the Dictionary of American Regional English and Appalachian dialect collections. The phrase comes from 18th-century English "dido" (a prank or caper) and was carried into American Southern speech, where it flourished as "cutting didoes." NotesStill heard in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Outside the region it’s rare and reads as quaint or archaic. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "cuttin’ die-does" or "cuttin’ dee-does." The "g" in "cutting" is dropped. | ...
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