Site icon The Steeple Times

Word of the Week: Panjandrum

Words worth using

 

Our new weekly feature is a ‘Word of the Week’. Our first selection is “panjandrum”.

 

Margaret Thatcher was an example of a panjandrum

 

Defined as describing “a person who has or claims to have a great deal of authority or influence”, the word originates in the late 19th century and is said to have been invented as part of a nonsense verse.

 

Whilst there is a band and a foundation named after the word, we think it should truly be applied only to the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill.

 

Do send suggestions of relevant words to editorial@thesteepletimes.com. We will publish the most fascinating once weekly.

 

 

Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:

     

    Exit mobile version