Mittyesque

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eberntson
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Mittyesque

Postby eberntson » Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:20 pm

Mittyesque is perhaps a little too new for a Good Word. It comes from the short story of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and the movie with Danny Kaye circa 1939. It means, denoting an ineffectual person who spends more time in heroic daydreams than paying attention to the real world, or more seriously, one who intentionally attempts to mislead or convince others that he is something that he is not.

The movie was recently remade with Tom Hanks as the star but has lost some of the reality of the old version. I was just able to watch the 1939 movie version on Youtube for free. Have always loved Danny Kaye since I was a child with an olde black & white TV.
EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns

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Slava
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Re: Mittyesque

Postby Slava » Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:11 pm

Dictionary.com goes with a simpler "Walter Mittyish."

Are you sure about the Tom Hanks version? I found a Ben Stiller one from 2013, but no Hanks. Danny Kaye's was in 1947, by the way.

It's also been the title of about 8 different TV show episodes. Popular idea.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

eberntson
Lexiterian
Posts: 457
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:48 am
Location: Cambridge, Mass
Contact:

Re: Mittyesque

Postby eberntson » Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:50 pm

You are correct about Ben Stiller, and not Tom Hanks version of the movie. My mistake!
EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns


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