The 34-Letter Secret: Full Words To Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious And The Lawsuit Disney Fought

As of December 2025, the song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" remains one of the most recognizable and delightful musical numbers in cinema history, a true testament to the genius of the Sherman Brothers. This 34-letter marvel, immortalized by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in the 1964 Disney classic *Mary Poppins*, is more than just a tongue-twister; it is a cultural phenomenon with a fascinating, and often controversial, history that extends far beyond the silver screen. Its legacy is continually refreshed through stage revivals and its constant presence on streaming services like Disney+, proving its timeless appeal to new generations. The song's core message—a word to use when you're at a loss for words, or simply to express enthusiastic approval—belies a complex origin story, including a surprising 1965 copyright battle that sought to prove the word was not original to the film. To truly appreciate this legendary number, one must dive into the complete lyrics, the context of its creation, and the legal drama that cemented its place in pop culture lore.

The Complete, Official Words to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

The song is famously performed by Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) and Bert (Dick Van Dyke) after the pair have a magical encounter with a pavement artist's drawing. Mary Poppins explains that the word is something you say "when you have nothing to say," but it quickly becomes a tool for expressing pure, unadulterated joy and confidence. Below are the full lyrics, capturing the spirit and story of the song.

(MARY POPPINS)

Because I was afraid to speak when I was just a lad
My father gave my nose a tweak and told me I was bad
But then one day I learned a word that saved me awful trouble
The most fantastic word I ever heard

(ALL)

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Oh, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

(BERT)

Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay

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(MARY POPPINS)

He traveled all around the world and everywhere he went
He'd use his word and all would say, "There goes a clever gent"
When dukes or maharajahs appeared before his face
He'd say it and he'd always find a welcome waiting place.

(ALL)

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Oh, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

(BERT)

Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay

(MARY POPPINS)

So when the cat has got your tongue, there's no need for dismay
Just summon up this word and then you've got a lot to say
But use it with discretion, and a little bit of care
Or else you'll be a bore and people will begin to stare.

(ALL)

Oh, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

(BERT)

Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle, um diddle ay

The Shocking 1965 Lawsuit: Was the Word Stolen?

While the song is synonymous with Disney and the Sherman Brothers (Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman), its origin was the subject of a major copyright infringement lawsuit shortly after the film's release. This controversy is a key piece of trivia that adds depth to the song's history.

The core of the legal drama was the claim that the word was not original to the Sherman Brothers. In 1965, a lawsuit was filed against Walt Disney Productions by Life Music, Inc., alleging copyright infringement. The plaintiffs claimed that the word and the general concept of the song were taken from a composition titled "Supercalafajalistickespeealadojus" that was written and copyrighted in 1951.

This earlier version of the word, also a lengthy nonsense term, was allegedly used in a song composed by songwriters Gloria Parker and Barney Young. The legal battle, known as *Life Music, Inc. v. Broadcast Music, Inc.*, was a high-stakes affair that threatened to undermine the originality of one of Disney's biggest hits.

Ultimately, the court sided with the Sherman Brothers and Disney. The defense successfully argued two key points: first, that the word was a nonsensical mock-Latin compound that had roots in college slang dating back to the 1930s, long before the 1951 claim. Second, they proved that the specific musical arrangement and lyrics of the *Mary Poppins* song were distinct and original, despite the similarity of the core word.

The victory was crucial for Disney, solidifying the Sherman Brothers' place as the sole creators of the iconic version we know today. However, the lawsuit permanently etched the older, pre-Disney versions of the word into its historical record, proving that the concept of a "super-long nonsense word" was part of the American vernacular well before 1964.

Etymology and Meaning: Deconstructing the 34-Letter Marvel

The word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a classic example of a portmanteau, a word formed by blending sounds and meanings of two or more other words. The Sherman Brothers constructed it to sound like a legitimate, if ridiculously over-the-top, adjective.

Topical analysis of the word's components reveals its intended meaning:

• Super-: Meaning "above" or "beyond."
• Cali-: Possibly referring to "beauty" (from Greek *kallos*).
• Fragilistic-: Referring to "delicate" or "easily broken" (from "fragile").
• Expiali-: Possibly meaning "to atone" or "to make amends" (from "expialidocious," a related older nonsense word).
• -docious: A suffix often used in slang to mean "educable" or "satisfactory" (similar to "ferocious" or "atrocious").

When combined, the word loosely translates to "Atoning for educability through delicate beauty." However, the official, less academic meaning provided in the film is simply "something to say when you have nothing to say," or an expression of "excited approbation"—a feeling of fantastic, fabulous delight.

The word was added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), cementing its status as a legitimate, albeit nonsensical, term in the English language. It is often cited as one of the longest non-technical words in common use, making it a favorite for trivia and vocabulary challenges.

The Enduring Cultural Entities and Legacy

The song's impact is not limited to the 1964 film. Its continuous relevance is maintained through several key cultural entities and adaptations:

• The Sherman Brothers: Richard and Robert Sherman, the composers, are legendary Disney figures, also responsible for songs like "It's a Small World" and the music for *Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is arguably their most famous creation.
• Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke: Their iconic performances as Mary Poppins and Bert are inseparable from the song's success. Andrews, in particular, won an Academy Award for her role, and the song is a staple of her career.
• The Broadway/West End Musical: The stage adaptation of *Mary Poppins*, which has seen numerous successful revivals (including a recent run that kept the song fresh in the public consciousness), features the number prominently, often as a show-stopping ensemble piece.
• The Sequel (*Mary Poppins Returns*): While the sequel did not feature the original song, its existence in December 2025 reminds audiences of the original film's magic and its unforgettable soundtrack.
• Linguistics and Education: The word is frequently used in educational contexts to teach children about syllables, phonetics, and the fun of language, reinforcing its status as a linguistic entity.

From a legal challenge that proved its pre-Disney existence to its current status as a timeless piece of musical theatre, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a word that truly is "something quite atrocious" in length, yet absolutely super in its enduring cultural impact.