- Today's Word
Razzmatazz
[RAZ-muh-taz]
Definition
- (noun) Exciting action or impression intended to attract and impress people. It often describes elaborate or showy display, fanfare, or flashy technique used to dazzle an audience.
Example
The new Broadway show was full of razzmatazz, with dazzling costumes, spectacular dance numbers, and over-the-top special effects that left the audience in awe.
Fun Fact
The word “razzmatazz” (also spelled “razzamatazz”) first appeared in American English in the early 20th century. Its exact origin is unclear, but it’s thought to be an elaborate variation of the word “razzle-dazzle,” which has a similar meaning. The term gained popularity in the world of entertainment, particularly in describing the flashy, attention-grabbing aspects of vaudeville and musical theater performances.
(noun) A form of irony in which a person pretends to refuse or show disinterest in something they actually desire
His accismus was obvious to everyone at the table — he waved off the dessert menu three times before finally ordering the chocolate cake.
Accismus comes directly from the Greek akkismos, meaning “prudery” or “affectation,” derived from Akkō, the name of a foolish woman in Greek legend known for her coy, affected behavior. It entered English as a formal rhetorical term, classified among the figures of speech used in classical oratory and persuasion.