Now here's one for the books: bobadil.
Any guesses as to what this word means?
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According to Merriam-Webster, calling someone a bobadil is not a compliment. The word means braggart, especially a "cowardly braggart." The Online Etymological Dictionary points to the esteemable Ben Johnson as the originator of this word, naming a boastful character Bobadil in "Every Man in his Humour" (1598). So yes, it has been around for quite a while.
Some words never go out of style...
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| There he goes again... The Fool Who Sells Wisdom by Carle (Antoine Charles Horace) Vernet, 1818 |
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4 comments:
On Johnson's choice : https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/bobadil
Hi Liz! Thanks for the link! "A military braggart of the first water" ... love it!
Goes back at least to the "Miles Gloriosus" of Plautus. The "Braggart Soldier" who evolved into the Rhodomonte of the Italian Commodia del Arte of the 17th-18th centuries
Hi John! Good to "see" you! I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner to see your comment.
Wow... that is fascinating! Of course, I had to go look up "Miles Gloriosus" as this is the first I've heard of such. :-) Found a short explanation in the online Britannica here: https://www.britannica.com/art/Miles-Gloriosus. Interesting to see how far back the stock character of a "braggart warrior" extends...
Thanks for dropping by and for your comment! :-)
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