Partridgean
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Self-important but bathetic; unable to distinguish the meaningful from the trivial and therefore prone to absurdity. Ireland, UK
"Speaking of glaring faults, howsabout Rio Ferdinand’s for starters? This, at least, is one properly footballing ‘Hot Topic’ the Partridgean hacks have managed to find room for, though I note it took him cocking up in an England shirt for them to do so."
- 2 In the manner or style of lexicographer Eric Partridge (1894–1979). derogatory
"A Partridgean colorfulness is allowed to creep into the etymologies [...] where severer counsel falls back on "etym. uncertain" or "etym. unknown"."
Example
More examples"Speaking of glaring faults, howsabout Rio Ferdinand’s for starters? This, at least, is one properly footballing ‘Hot Topic’ the Partridgean hacks have managed to find room for, though I note it took him cocking up in an England shirt for them to do so."
Etymology
From Partridge + -an. From the fictional character Alan Partridge, a self-obsessed radio DJ.
From Partridge + -an. From the lexicographer Eric Partridge.
Related phrases
More for "partridgean"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.