Blimp

[Dr. Goodword]

• blimp •

Pronunciation: blimp • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: 1. A nonrigid dirigible balloon (airship) without an internal supporting framework, often provided with a cabin underneath for transport of people, cargo, etc. 2. (US, offensive) An obese person. 3. (UK, offensive) A pompous person, someone given to bloviating.

Notes: We are tempted to use today's Good Word facetiously because of its sound. There are several disparaging words that rhyme with it: wimp, simp, pimp and limp to name a few. It has spawned several derivations, such as blimpery "pomposity", blimpian "pompous", and blimpish "pompous". Today's word is a rarity, indeed: an English word that is pronounced exactly as it is spelled.

In Play: The Zeppelin was not a blimp because it had a metal framework. However, its name was spoofed in the name of the rock group Led Zeppelin. The idea for the name, no doubt, originated in the American expression "Her suggestion went over like a lead balloon." Don't forget the derivations from this word, particularly useful in the campaign season: "The congresswoman's speech carried her to such blimpian heights as were never before achieved at a political convention."

Word History: Today's Good Word began as an abbreviation. During WWI the British experimented with large balloons capable of transport. The first nonrigid "lighter-than-air-aircraft" was designated the A-limp (nonrigid) when it was superseded by an improved version, called the B-limp. Dirigible refers to either type of airship, with or without rigid internal structure. This word was borrowed from the French, who inherited it as the adjective of the Latin verb dirigere "to direct, get straight". The past participle of this verb is directus "straight". English feasted on this word, then went back for the leftovers. (We are happy that David McWethy directed today's Good Word to us and didn't give up when it floated past us blimpishly the first time.)

[bbeeton]

My husband and I have crossed paths with the Goodyear blimp several times, but two were particularly memorable.

Shortly after we moved into our house, one evening we heard the sounds of a low-flying ... something. Not a jet, although we're located within an occasional flight path to the local airport, and besides, it sounded too low. Not a small private plane, although they've been known to pass by, hauling banners behind them in football season. Not a helicopter, although those sometimes pass by when the National Guard is out practicing. So, out onto the porch to investigate. It's the Goodyear blimp, with all its lights flashing some unremembered message. Very close indeed!

On another occasion we were in Worcester, and decided to visit the airport, to see if there was anything interesting going on. It was very windy, and since the Worcester airport is on a high peneplain, there is nothing to buffer the wind. We noticed a tall mast, and heard the growl of an engine slowly approaching ... approaching the mast. Oh! The Goodyear blimp! This is where the blimp must tie down; a logical conclusion. Except that the wind was blowing the blimp sideways, and the power of the engine just wasn't enough to overcome the wind pressure against that gigantic surface. I don't know where it was able to spend the night, but it wasn't at the Worcester airport.

[Audiendus]

3. (UK, offensive) A pompous person, someone given to bloviating.

Colonel Blimp was a cartoon character, a stereotype of a pompous and reactionary British army officer. The expression is still often used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Blimp

[Slava]

Colonel Blimp gives us a good example of florid, too: