This week's theme
Words that arose from cartoons

This week's words
curate's egg
gerrymander
McCarthyism
Rube Goldberg
blimp


This week's comments
AWADmail 596

Next week's theme
Illustrated words

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(blimp)

MEANING:

noun: A pompous reactionary with out-of-date views.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Colonel Blimp, a cartoon character created by David Low (1891-1963). Blimp was a satirical look at the self-important and ultra-nationalistic attitudes of officials in the British army and government. Earliest documented use: 1934.

USAGE:

"Yet, far from being a blimp, Charles Napier was one of the most impressive and intelligent individuals the British armed forces have ever produced."
Frank McLynn; The Road Not Taken; Random House; 2012.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: