gonzo

[gon-zoh]

adjective

1. (of journalism, reportage, etc.) filled with bizarre or subjective ideas, commentary, or the like.

2. crazy; eccentric.

noun

1. eccentricity, weirdness, or craziness.

gonzo

/ ˈɡɒnzəʊ /

adjective

1. wild or crazy

2. (of journalism) explicitly including the writer's feelings at the time of witnessing the events or undergoing the experiences written about

noun

1. a wild or crazy person

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonzo¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; apparently from the phrase Gonzo journalism used by U.S. journalist Hunter S. Thompson (1939–2005); perhaps from Italian: “simpleton, one easily duped” (of uncertain origin) or from Spanish ganso “a lazy or dull person,” literally, “goose” (from Germanic; goose )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonzo¹

C20: perhaps from Italian, literally: fool, or Spanish ganso idiot, bumpkin (literally: goose)

Example Sentences

On the James Whale Radio Show, the presenter was a cross between a shock jock, talk show host, gonzo roving reporter and working men's club MC.

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While Zoë has tackled some comedic roles in the past, she’s never gone full gonzo.

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Audiences hoping for a gonzo bloodbath will be disappointed that Finnegan keeps his morality murky.

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Montiel’s insistence on humanity, even in this kind of gonzo genre flick, develops into his thesis statement.

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As gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson quipped in 1988, “Yesterday’s weirdness is tomorrow’s reason why.”

Read more on Salon