"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."

Friday 3 April 2009

Obsequious

Obsequious is one of those words that sounds like what it is - a fawning subservience.


It conjours up visions of Dickensian charcaters rubbing ther hands together and virtually tugging their forelocks in an ingratiating or servile manner.

2 comments:

  1. To me the ultimate character representing obsequity or obsequiousness was Mr Obadiah Slope in Barchester Chronicles (particularly as represented by Alan Rickman in the BBC series).

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  2. Uriah Heep all the way!
    (I just found your blogs due to hunting for Chesterton quotes online, and must say I am impressed.)

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