panjandrum

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“
That great panjandrum of American literary and political life,

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Definitions (3)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun An important or self-important person: "a panjandrum of the publishing business” (Nat Hentoff).

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (1)

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Examples (26)

  • Why The door swung open and they turned to see Murray and Tholfsen Beg pardon for interrupting the sacred panjandrum," said the former, "but Stevens and Vanderschoof are indulging in a sulk. —  Wonder Story Annual - 1950
  • He anglicised his name at the start of his career (ennobling himself prematurely in the process), but didn't feel held back by prejudice, though he remembers with rancour the panjandrum at the Royal Shakespeare Company, who informed him he was destined always to play servants. —  Telegraph.co.uk: news business sport the Daily Telegraph newspaper Sunday Telegraph
  • She asks the great panjandrum "if this decision might have been influenced by recent situations". —  AGORAVOX - The Citizen Media
  • The Fonz, Isiah Thomas, Ed Helms and Greg Oden are only a few of the celebrities who have been acknowledged sideline panjandrum passes to Saturday's USC-Ohio State extravaganza, so intend your cameras ready if you're feat to attend. —  xml's Blinklist.com
  • Post panjandrum William Dean Singleton, ignorant consumers, bloggers - for the diminished tabloid's demise. —  Adrian Monck
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. After the Grand Panjandrum, a character in a nonsense farrago written by Samuel Foote (1720-1777).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Also rarely panjandarum; a word used by Samuel Foote in a string of rigmarole as a test for Macklin, who boasted of his memory; from pan-,all, + -jandrum, a Latin-looking element of no meaning.
 

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/pænˈdʒændrəm/
by American Heritage

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