tushery
Definition
Noun: - Writing of poor quality characterized by an affected choice of archaic words: A pejorative term for a style of writing, often in historical or pseudo-historical fiction, that is considered bad because it overuses archaic or pseudo-archaic language (like "tush," "prithee," "forsooth") in an unnatural, forced, or pretentious manner to create a sense of antiquity.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The novel's attempt at medieval dialogue descended into pure tushery, making it difficult to read.
- Critics dismissed the playwright's work as mere tushery, full of "thees" and "thous" but lacking genuine feeling.
- He avoided tushery in his historical novel by using modern prose to convey the characters' emotions.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in literary criticism to specifically critique an author's artificial and unsuccessful attempt to mimic older forms of English. It implies a lack of authenticity and skill.
- It can be applied beyond fiction to describe any affectedly archaic use of language, such as in certain types of poetry, legal documents, or formal speeches.
Variants and Related Words
- Tush (interjection): An archaic exclamation of contempt or impatience (e.g., "Tush! Never tell me such a story"). This is the type of word whose overuse contributes to "tushery."
- Archaism (noun): An old or obsolete word or phrase. Tushery is the excessive and affected use of archaisms.
- Pseudo-archaic (adjective): Falsely or artificially old-fashioned in style.
Synonyms
- Affectation: Artificial behavior or speech adopted to impress.
- Purple prose: Writing that is overly ornate, flowery, or sentimental.
- Bombast: High-sounding language with little meaning.
- Pretentiousness: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To lapse into tushery: To start using an affected archaic style.
- Whenever he writes about knights, he tends to lapse into tushery.
Noun
-
writing of poor quality; characterized by affected choice of archaic words
