/rik"ee tik", -tik'/ , Informal.
n.
1. the mechanical, repetitive style and beat of ragtime or early swing music.
adj. Also, ricky-ticky /rik"ee tik"ee, -tik'ee/ .
2. of or characteristic of such sound or beat.
3. corny or outmoded.
[ 1935-40; appar. imit. ]