# Origin of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501 "2013-01-08T17:24:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AEmerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@AEmerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AEmerson)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/1 "2013-01-08T17:24:50Z")
This word was originally written in 1931 by Helen Herman, a journalism student at Syracuse University, as “Supercaliflawjalisticexpialadoshus.” See: > **[Syracuse origins for one amazing word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious](https://www.syracuse.com/kirst/2013/01/post_392.html)** > > A young writer at Syracuse University may have coined one of Hollywood's most famous words. [http://photos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2013/01/supercalifragilisticexpialidoc\_1.html](http://photos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2013/01/supercalifragilisticexpialidoc_1.html) > **[Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious)** > > "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (/ˌsuːpərˌkælɪˌfrædʒɪˌlɪstɪkˌɛkspiˌælɪˈdoʊʃəs/ (listen) SOO-pər-KAL-i-FRA-ji-LIS-tik-EKS-pee-AL-i-DOH-shəs) is a song and single from the 1964 Disney musical film Mary Poppins. It was written by the Sherman Brothers, and sung by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It also appears in the 2004 stage show version. > Because Mary Poppins was a period piece set in 1910, songs that sounded similar to songs of the period were wanted. The movie version finished at #3 The s... ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/2 "2013-01-08T17:27:51Z")
I sleep better tonight. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/3 "2013-01-08T19:24:20Z")
How precocious! ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/4 "2013-01-08T20:49:23Z")
I’ll assume that the OP is talking about my own article here: [Is “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” a real word referring to Irish hookers? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2025/is-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-a-real-word-referring-to-irish-hookers) This was one of the avenues we explored and even talked to Mary O’Brien who at that time gave us the best information she had. I’m happy to hear that they finally found it and we can finally lay this to rest. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/5 "2013-01-09T03:38:23Z")
That’s underwhelming. Subcalifragilisticexpialidocious. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/6 "2013-01-09T03:39:52Z")
Double plus docious. ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/7 "2013-01-10T02:49:39Z")
The next step, obviously, is to take it to Richard Sherman and ask how he reconciles his and Bob’s previous recounting of the origin with the new evidence. Though hopefully with a bit more tact than that. Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/8 "2013-01-10T12:27:19Z")
**Eutychus** , if you’d like to amend your old staff report, please let me know… ---
**Author:** ![AEmerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@AEmerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AEmerson)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/646501/9 "2013-01-14T06:41:37Z")
Yes, Eutychus. 😉 I didn’t mean to step on any toes. In looking up the article that was posted on Facebook by one of my (Syracuse, of course!) friends, I came across your post, but wasn’t allowed to reply to it. It’s no skin off my nose if you decide to amend your original reporting on this awesome word! * * * "Leaffan: "I sleep better tonight. Thanks. " ’ LOL! I’m glad I could help. 😃