Goldwynism

American

[gohld-wi-niz-uhm] / ˈgoʊld wɪˌnɪz əm /

noun

a phrase or statement involving a humorous and supposedly unintentional misuse of idiom, as “Keep a stiff upper chin,” especially such a statement attributed to Samuel Goldwyn, as “Include me out.”

Etymology

Origin of Goldwynism

First recorded in 1935–40; Goldwyn + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the last of Hollywood's tycoons, Producer Samuel Goldwyn, 77, a staunch Republican, uncorked the sort of Goldwynism that made Goldwynisms famous.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023