Johnsonese

[ jon-suh-neez, -nees ]

/ ˌdʒɒn səˈniz, -ˈnis /

noun

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.

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Question 1 of 7

What does “clement” mean?

having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.

mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.

favorite; cherished.

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Origin of Johnsonese

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

Words nearby Johnsonese

John Q. Public, Johns, Johnson, Johnson, Andrew, Johnson City, Johnsonese, Johnson grass, Johnsonian, Johnson, James Weldon, Johnson, Lyndon Baines, Johnson, Samuel

Example sentences from the Web for Johnsonese

When he wrote for publication, he did his sentences out of English into Johnsonese.
Life Of Johnson, Volume 5|Boswell
The literary style of Mary Wollstonecraft's book is Johnsonese, but its thought forms the base of all that has come after.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Vol. 2 of 14|Elbert Hubbard
Sebastian, for his part, might have found some difficulty in translating into Johnsonese the twisted asceticism of Stuart Heron.
Twos and Threes|G. B. Stern
When he wrote for publication he did his sentences out of English into Johnsonese.
Macaulay's Life of Samuel Johnson|Thomas Babington Macaulay

The stuffed buckram of Johnsonese had been succeeded by the mincing hifalutin of Mrs. Anne Radcliffe and her like.
Washington Irving|Henry W. Boynton

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