No siree is pronounced noh-suh-REE.
Also used: No siree, Bob!
Meaning of Idiom ‘No Siree’
No siree is an emphasized form of NO; no indeed; certainly not; absolutely not. 1Brenner, Gail. Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook. John Wiley & Sons, 2011., 2Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.,3“Sirree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sirree. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.
Usage Notes
No siree is sometimes used to emphasize sarcasm. For example, “He’s not biased, no siree! It’s not like his own company stands to gain money.”
Yes siree is also used.
Sentence Examples
“No siree, I’m not falling for that trick again.”
“Would you like a drink?” “No, siree. I haven’t had a drink in ten years and I’m not about to start now.”
“No siree we are not staying home. Your birthday is only once a year and we are going to celebrate it.”
“What’d you wish for?” “Nope. Can’t tell you that.” “Come on. Tell.” “No siree. I’m telling you, it’s bad luck.” — Madagascar (2005)
“Helen wouIdn’t want me sitting around waIIowing in seIf-pity — no, siree, Bob. She’d tell me to shape up or ship out.” — About Schmidt (2003)
“Well, me waving like a mindless idiot while he’s wrapped around another woman is not what l had in mind. No, siree.” — The Parent Trap (1998)
“Hope you don’t think I’ll wear what I wore in Catholic school. No, siree. No ugly green jumpers for me.” — Sister Act (1992)
“This ain’t your average pile of fertiliser here. Uh-uh. No, siree. This here’s a special blend. Fish heads, shrimp skins, crab claws, earthworm droppings…” — Overboard (1987)
“But did Sam get down on his marrowbones, and thank the good Lord for that? No, siree, not Sam. He hunted high and low for that old…” — Sergeant York (1941)
Origin
Siree is an informal and conversational form of sir. However, it is rarely used today in place of sir but usually accompanies yes or no.
No siree has been used since the 1840s. According to the OED, the earliest known print example is from 1845, in Quincy (Illinois) Whig. 4“No Siree, Int.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/9715838643.
