griffonage
Definitions
Wiktionary
- n. Careless handwriting; a crude or illegible scrawl.
This word comes from the French ‘griffonnage,’ which comes from ‘griffonner,’ to scribble or scrawl. ‘Griffonage’ isn't related to ‘griffin,’ fabulous beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. ‘Griffin’ comes from the Old French ‘grifon,’ a bird of prey, which ultimately comes from the Greek ‘gryps,’ curved, hook-nosed.
Examples
“But I must reserve a description of these trips until another letter, as I am sure you will be heartily tired by the time you have got through my griffonage.”
Charles Philip Yorke, Fourth Earl of Hardwicke, Vice-Admiral R.N.
“This is a fine griffonage, to be sure! but I have not patience to write prettily; if you can only read it, it will do well enough.”
“We hastened to pack up our 'trumpery,' as Captain Mirven unkindly calls the paraphernalia of the ladies, and among the rest, my six hundred pages of griffonage.”
