pompous or pretentious. Word origin. C19: from high + -falutin, perhaps variant of fluting, from flute.

Is Falutin a word?

The “high” in “highfalutin” is almost certainly our common adjective, signifying either physical height or, figuratively, magnitude. Some authorities suggest that the “falutin” in “highfalutin” is a modification of “fluting,” meaning to play a flute or produce sounds similar to those made by a flute.

What does highfalutin mean slang?

1 : pretentious, fancy highfalutin people. 2 : expressed in or marked by the use of language that is elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means : pompous giving a highfalutin speech.