PANJANDRUM

[Dr. Goodword]

• panjandrum •

Pronunciation: pæn-jæn-drêm • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: A mock title for a high-ranking, super supercilious, self-centered person: a Pooh-bah (a character in The Mikado), a High Muck-a-muck (Chinook jargon hayo makamak "plenty to eat"), a mugwump (Algonquian for "great chief").

Notes: This is a word bereft of kinswords other than a normal plural, panjandrums. Of course, since it ends on -um, like datum (data) and paramecium (paramecia), you could play with "all the panjandra" to get a wider smile.

In Play: This light-hearted word also has beauty that should not be ignored: "Today I am the Grand Panjandrum of my demesne, overseeing the fall colors of my garden, feasting on olives, cheese, grapes, and fresh-baked bread in my royally favorite nightgown." A large dahlia or chrysanthemum could be the grand panjandrum of that garden. This word is a fine blade to use against self-importance. "Why should I have to lay down a bunt? You're just the coach; you're not the Grand Panjandrum of Poohbahbia," would be a sparkling note on which to end your baseball career.

Word History: The Irish actor Charles Macklin (1697-1797) loved to boast that he could memorize any paragraph on one reading. To test that boast, Samuel Foote composed a test paragraph in 1754 that you may read here. We have no report on how well Macklin performed with the lines of Foote in his mouth, however, one phrase, 'the great Panjandrum', stuck in the language. The word is very remindful of the names of the lords of India and Pakistan, giving it the ring of authenticity and mystery.

[Slava]

And, in case people haven't noticed, it is also the title given to posters who achieve the 1,000 mark. Perhaps we need to come up with a new one for people above 2k?

[Perry]

I'm already a Grand Panjandrum, but I wouldn't object to becoming an Arch Panjandrum.

[Slava]

I'm already a Grand Panjandrum, but I wouldn't object to becoming an Arch Panjandrum.

Are you sure you wish to be Arch? Are you in a bad mood? Do we need fear the vituperative powers of a Panjandrum?

[LukeJavan8]

I'm already a Grand Panjandrum, but I wouldn't object to becoming an Arch Panjandrum.

Does a "His Royal" or "Most Eminent" go with the
title, or maybe "His Prominence".
Its a good thing G. Washington refused a title.
Even "His Honor" for judges is a bit much.

[saparris]

Someone should say it, so here goes:

Do panjandrums have those little footies sewn on to the legs?

[LukeJavan8]

Jimmy Durante had a wonderful prominence on the front
of his face. PJ's? I guess you need to be a grandpa
to know about those bootie things.

[saparris]

Jimmy Durante had a wonderful prominence on the front of his face.

Jimmy Durante had a large proboscis--another good word.

(Good night, Mrs. Calabash.......)

[LukeJavan8]

Yes, proboscis, a very good word.
Prominent too. A panjandrum of probosci.

[Perry]

Someone should say it, so here goes:

Do panjandrums have those little footies sewn on to the legs?

Not in the summer. But we always have those flaps in the back...

BTW, this may be the only place on earth I get some respect , so why wouldn't I go for broke?

[saparris]

BTW, this may be the only place on earth I get some respect...

Call Aretha Franklin (1-800-RESPECT). Maybe she'll let lend you one of her giant inaugural hair bows.

[LukeJavan8]

You're lucky if this is the only place you get respect.
Some of us don't get it here, even.

[LukeJavan8]

BTW, this may be the only place on earth I get some respect...

Call Aretha Franklin (1-800-RESPECT). Maybe she'll let lend you one of her giant inaugural hair bows.

I've since seen a picture of that bow and hat and whatever.
We discussed it on the dead site, once.
That was really "eyecatching" to say the least, and that
is the least I'll say about it.

[Perry]

With a voice like hers, she can wear whatever she wants as far as I am concerned.

[saparris]

I guess that's why she's the Grand Panjandrum of Soul.