Johnsonese

[ jon-suh-neez, -nees ]

noun

1. a literary style characterized by rhetorically balanced, often pompous phraseology and an excessively Latinate vocabulary: so called from the style of writing practiced by Samuel Johnson.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Johnsonese¹

First recorded in 1835–45; (Samuel) Johnson + -ese

Example Sentences

The stuffed buckram of Johnsonese had been succeeded by the mincing hifalutin of Mrs. Anne Radcliffe and her like.

From Project Gutenberg

When he wrote for publication he did his sentences out of English into Johnsonese.

From Project Gutenberg

But Johnson seems to have written Johnsonese from his cradle.

From Project Gutenberg

What sort of an appearance would they present when furnished in a blend of Johnsonese and his own stheticism?

From Project Gutenberg

Sebastian, for his part, might have found some difficulty in translating into Johnsonese the twisted asceticism of Stuart Heron.

From Project Gutenberg