Zoe’s Pet Peeve
Hello from the Land of Zen! I, Zoe, the Fabulous Feline, am here today to enlighten you about something that is actually a pet peeve of mine. Yes, I know—and you know—that I am normally so <ahem> even-tempered, but I go catallistic about this particular topic.
And here it is . . . my one major pet peeve: The misuse of my favorite word, “bombastic.” Talking heads on television get it wrong. Elitists who write for pretentious periodicals get it wrong. Everybody gets it wrong. They think that because it starts with “bomb,” it must mean loud, boisterous, or clamorous. Not so, says this Fabulous Feline.
Bombastic means speech or writing that is inflated . . . high-sounding, but with little meaning. In other words, pompous, pretentious—and phony, if I were to use my own word in conjunction with Mr. Webster’s.
Here’s an interesting factoid relevant to the origin of the word bombastic: Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheimn was a 15th century physician and alchemist who, at some point in his life, took the name Paracelsus. Do you think he took that name because it was shorter or easier to say? No! He took that name because he thought so highly of himself he believed he was beyond (“para”) Celsus (a renowned physician from the first century). This is just one, and maybe the most notable, example of the high regard in which Philippus “Paracelsus” held himself.
Because he was beyond arrogant and pretentious, people had to come up with a new word to describe him. And they used his middle name, Bombastus, to do just that. Hence, to be arrogant or pretentious in either speech or writing is to be bombastic.
Fast forward to a contemporary example of writing that could easily be deemed bombastic. Below is a direct quote posted recently to this very site by a well-known writer who, loveable though he is, shall remain nameless:
“Thank you for noticing my greatness and my charm. And I like the way you refer to me as ‘your noble self’. I kinda like that. As to your idea about videotaping my funeral. Well, I’ve left instructions that when I go, it’s to be kept a secret. I’m afraid that my fans will do more than just gnash their teeth. There would be rending of garments, covering in ashes, the world’s economy would crash. Presidents and kings would be brought low with grief. You get the idea. So it’s best that when I shuffle off this mortal coil, I do it quietly.”
Addendum: Danny the Dog takes exception that I used his comment as an example of bombastic writing. Duly noted, Danny.
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
You’ve outdone yourself, Zoe. I am in awe 🙂
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I would take a bow, if I knew how. So instead I wll just say thank you, Muss Tina. I am glad you enjoyed it! My human says she hopes your writing is going well.
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Zoe is the spitting image of my Sheldon!
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I look like a boy cat???
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Maybe Sheldon looks like a girl-cat. 😉
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ahhhhhh! Gender schmender, right? We are both beautiful…and I’m sure very intelligent as well. So it’s all good!
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On the other paw–and there always is one–gender schmender, right? We’re both beautiful and intelligent, I might add. So it’s all good!
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Meow!
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Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Why not?
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It’s a good thing my Zoe and Danny the Dog will never meet in the fur–talk about flying….I can see it now. .
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Naw, I’d be kind to Danny. Like Sally said, he’s got issues. Called Andrew. :::::Cheshire grin:::::
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Zoe the zensational feline is guesting on The Story Reading Ape and is taking swipe at her nemesis Danny the Dog on the subject of his bombasticity! Pot and Kettle and black come to mind!
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Thanks, Sally! Did you just call me bombastic? Moi?!?
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If the fur fits Zoe.. but I also called you zensational… cut Danny some slack.. he has issues!! hugs
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I did indeed note the “zensational” (so clever, as always)…and actually, I love Danny, issues and all. But I will deny ever saying so! (Hope he doesn’t read this!)
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LOL – Thanks for sharing Sally 😀
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Thanks for telling me, Zoe. I never knew. I thought the word had a different meaning in German, but no – I looked it up in the Duden (German dictionary) – and there I found it in exactly that meaning, something that is pompous! Well done, feline, teaching me about human language!
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That’s my job….to bring smiles and enlightenment from the land of Zen! Thanks for reading, Fran!
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Oh, and you taught me something too..Duden…cool!
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Duden is something like the Cambridge Dictionary or the Merriam Webster
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I had to learn about Paracelsus in grad school. Always thought he had one of the most incredible names I had ever heard! Thanks for the memories Zoe!
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You’re most welcome, Noelle! I got to skip grad school, lucky me!!
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I love a feline who reads.
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And I love a man with class and good taste!
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Aw Zoe. You are a cat after my own heart.
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Me, bombastic? Never!!! I only tell it like it is. And what do you know? You’re only a cat!
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“Only a cat”??? Don’t make me call my flying monkeys, Danny-boy!
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