Wordcraft Community Home Page
Nabobs

This topic can be found at:
https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932607094/m/635102983

November 21, 2009, 20:19
Kalleh
Nabobs
I liked this alliteration from an article: "...nattering nabobs of neocon nonsense..."

Then I wondered about "nabobs." It is supposed to mean "a person of wealth or prominence." But is there usually an Indian slant to it since it comes from a Hindi word that means a governor in India under the Mogul Empire?
November 21, 2009, 20:38
zmježd
... and it refers to Spiro Agnew's nattering nabobs of negativism, from speech-writer the late William Safire ...


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
November 24, 2009, 20:56
Kalleh
Ah, yes. I do miss him.

I was just wondering if nabob is often used in such a general way.
November 25, 2009, 17:22
<Proofreader>
Since Spiro was once vice-president, this may or may not be be an interesting segue:

Today's Word Spy has this

Palintologist: n. A person who studies or is fascinated by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.
—Palintology n.