Mary Poppins-esque

English

Alternative forms

• Mary Poppins–esque, Mary Poppinsesque

Etymology

From Mary Poppins +‎ -esque.

Adjective

Mary Poppins-esque (comparative more Mary Poppins-esque, superlative most Mary Poppins-esque)

1. Resembling or characteristic of the Mary Poppins book series and its adaptations or their eponymous protagonist, a magical English nanny.
   • 2003 December 18, Fiona Mountford, “Peter could do better”, in Evening Standard, page 39:

     Despite the well-realised first act, in which the Mary Poppins-esque world of the picture-perfect Edwardian nursery is lovingly evoked, Dexter can’t solve the eternal problem of the derailing of Barrie’s script once the action transfers to Neverland.

   • 2004 November 4, Melanie Csepiga, “Don’t let safety go up in smoke”, in The Times, page F3:

     Since 1981, Bailitz, whom many may know from his “Mary Poppins”-esque top hat and tails get-up at home shows and festivals, has, despite the whimsical marketing play, been taking chimney sweeping and safety very seriously.

   • 2005, Michelle Kennedy, Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (with Kids) in America: My Story, Viking, →ISBN, page 96:

     “That’s all we have right now,” I say in my most Mary Poppins-esque tone.

   • 2006, Kaavya Viswanathan, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, Time Warner Books, →ISBN, page 33:

     My mom pushed her perfectly coiffed head through the doorway, and flashed me a blinding Mary Poppins-esque smile.

   • 2006, Let’s Go: Ireland, New York, N.Y.: St. Martin’s Press, →ISBN, page 319:

     If the delicious crepes (€12.50) and crab meat sandwiches (€13.50) don't impress, perhaps the eccentric, Mary Poppins-esque interior will.

   • 2014, Jennifer Rae, Confessions of a Bad Bridesmaid, Mills & Boon, →ISBN, page 53:

     ‘Sleep,’ he said quietly, before pulling a bottle of water from her Mary Poppins-esque make-up bag.

   • 2015, Martha Cheng, Jeanne Cooper, Shannon Wianecki, Frommer’s Hawaii 2015, FrommerMedia LLC, →ISBN, page 517:

     The Nanny Connection […] on Maui is a reputable business that sends experienced Mary Poppins-esque nannies to resorts and beaches to watch children for $19 per hour and up, depending on the number of children and holiday hours.

   • 2015, Christine Melville Kenworthy, Gathering Nuts, →ISBN, page 114:

     Coral clasped her hands, gave a Mary Poppins-esque click of her heels and launched into a well-rehearsed speech.

   • 2016, Cate Holahan, The Widower’s Wife, New York, N.Y.: Crooked Lane, →ISBN, page 287:

     Her voice became high and Mary Poppins-esque.

   • 2017, Kathy Lette, Best-Laid Plans, Bantam Press, →ISBN, page 254:

     June retrieved a flask of whisky from her magical Mary Poppins-esque handbag and passed it my way, saying, ‘Medicinal.’

   • 2020 July 30, Taylor Perse, “Boop Troop Rises”, in Eugene Weekly, volume 39, number 31, page 10, column 2:

     Smiling, he would devote his attention to each person who asked something of him, digging through one of the many pouches on his Mary Poppins-esque vest and providing what was asked for.

   • 2022 February 11, Joanna Whitehead, “10 of the best romantic hotels in London for Valentine’s Day”, in The Independent‎^[1], archived from the original on 28 March 2023:

     One direction is pure Mary Poppins-esque rooftops and chimneys, while the other is possibly one of the best places in the capital to watch the Royal London Hospital’s helicopter ambulance ascend and descend.

Synonyms

• Mary Poppinsy