panjandrum

panjandrum
\ \ [18] Panjandrum is an invented word, coined in 1755 by the English actor and playwright Samuel Foote (1720–77) to test the memory of the actor Charles Macklin, who claimed to be able to memorize and repeat anything said to him (it was one of several inventions in the same vein that Foote put to him: ‘And there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the Grand Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top’). It does not seem to have been taken up as a general comical term for a ‘pompous highranking person’ until the 19th century.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Panjandrum — Panjandrum, known also as the The Great Panjandrum, was a massive, rocket propelled, explosive laden cart designed by the British military during World War II. It was one of a number of highly experimental projects, including Hajile and the… …   Wikipedia

  • panjandrum — (n.) mock name for a pompous personage, 1755, invented by Samuel Foote (1720 1777) in a long passage full of nonsense written to test the memory of actor Charles Macklin (1697 1797), who said he could repeat anything after hearing it once …   Etymology dictionary

  • panjandrum — [pan jan′drəm] n. [arbitrary formation from a nonsense passage by Samuel Foote (1721 77), Eng actor & playwright] a self important, pompous official: a satirical title …   English World dictionary

  • panjandrum — [18] Panjandrum is an invented word, coined in 1755 by the English actor and playwright Samuel Foote (1720–77) to test the memory of the actor Charles Macklin, who claimed to be able to memorize and repeat anything said to him (it was one of… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • panjandrum — noun (plural drums; also panjandra) Etymology: Grand Panjandrum, burlesque title of an imaginary personage in some nonsense lines by Samuel Foote Date: 1856 a powerful personage or pretentious official …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • panjandrum — [pan dʒandrəm] noun a person who has or claims to have a great deal of authority or influence. Origin C19: from Grand Panjandrum, an invented phr. in a nonsense verse (1755) by Samuel Foote …   English new terms dictionary

  • panjandrum — /pan jan dreuhm/, n. a self important or pretentious official. [1745 55; pseudo Latin word (based on PAN ) coined by Samuel Foote (1720 77), English dramatist and actor] * * * …   Universalium

  • panjandrum — noun /pænˈdʒæn.drəm/ a) An important, powerful or influential person. b) A self important or pretentious person …   Wiktionary

  • panjandrum —  Self important person, pompous official …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • panjandrum — pan·jan·drum || pæ>n dʒændrÉ™m n. conceited person, pretentious person; haughty person, boastful person …   English contemporary dictionary

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