Where does “Johnsonese” come from?
Johnsonese (English) comes from English johnson, from English john, from Middle English John, from Anglo-Norman Jehan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Latin Iōannēs, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης, from Hebrew יוחנן.
Johnsonese (English): The literary style of Dr. Samuel Johnson; an inflated, stilted, or pompous style, affecting classical words
Definitions
- The literary style of Dr. Samuel Johnson; an inflated, stilted, or pompous style, affecting classical words
Ancestry of “Johnsonese”, step by step
Johnsonese traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English johnson
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | johnson | Penis |
| 2 | English | john | A prostitute's client; A device or place to... |
| 3 | Middle English | John | An appellation for a generic individual, especially of lower social standing |
| 4 | Anglo-Norman | Jehan | John |
| 5 | Latin | Iōhannēs | — |
| 6 | Latin | Iōannēs | John biblical persons |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | Ἰωάννης | — |
| 8 | Hebrew | יוחנן | Yahweh is gracious |
| 9 | Hebrew | חנון | gracious, merciful, compassionate; passive... |
| 10 | Moroccan Arabic | خنونة | mucus, snot |
| 11 | Arabic | خُنَّة | — |