The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

prig

noun, adjective

an over conformist; smug or obnoxious adherence to standards of propriety

1891Oscar WildeThe Picture of Dorian GrayAs for the lives of one's neighbours, if one wishes to be a prig or a Puritan, one can flaunt one's moral views about them, but they are not one's concern.1982Jack B. SowardsStar Trek: The Wrath of KhanBONES: I only use it for medicinal purposes. I got aboard a ship that brings them in a case, every now and then, across the Neutral Zone. Now, don't be a prig...1992David GemmellIn the Realm of the Wolf'You don't change, do you? Still the same priggish, pompous priest.'

Labels: David Gemmell, Jack B. Sowards, Oscar Wilde

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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gravitas

GRAV-uh-tas

noun

respectable demeanor; substance; formal bearing; to have dignity

1989Anne RiceThe Mummy or Ramses the DamnedThere was something about Plutarch which made him think of old men gossiping as they gathered on benches in public squares. No gravitas to the history.1999David GemmellWinter Warriors'Dignity is much overrated,' she said, at last. 'It is a concept, I think, devised by men to add gravitas to their strutting.'2004Christopher HitchensUnfairenheit 9-11 (Slate.com, 21 June 2004)Perhaps vaguely aware that his movie so completely lacks gravitas, Moore concludes with a sonorous reading of some words from George Orwell.

Labels: Anne Rice, Christopher Hitchens, David Gemmell

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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