panjandrum

[ pan-jan-druhm ]

noun

1. a self-important or pretentious official.

panjandrum

/ pænˈdʒændrəm /

noun

1. a pompous self-important official or person of rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of panjandrum¹

1745–55; pseudo-Latin word (based on pan- ) coined by Samuel Foote (1720–77), English dramatist and actor

Word History and Origins

Origin of panjandrum¹

C18: after a character, the Grand Panjandrum, in a nonsense work (1755) by Samuel Foote, English playwright and actor

Example Sentences

He and his scheme were referred to me, the Panjandrum being graciously pleased to be unable to make head or tail of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Panjandrum, pan-jan′drum, n. an imaginary figure of great power and importance, a burlesque potentate.

From Project Gutenberg

When he was here before, teachin' singin' school, he wasn't such a Grand Panjandrum.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you mean to say that you actually don't even know where the land of the Grand Panjandrum is?

From Project Gutenberg

Let them know that their great panjandrum has got to go too, to make room for the Future of the Proletariat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administrator
• agent
• bureaucrat
• civil servant
• commissioner
• director
• executive
• leader
• manager
• minister
• officer
• representative
• secretary