The Devil's Dictionary: Ovation
Updated May 14, 2020 |
Infoplease Staff
OVATION
-n.
n ancient Rome, a definite, formal pageant in honor of one who had been disserviceable to the enemies of the nation. A lesser "triumph." In modern English the word is improperly used to signify any loose and spontaneous expression of popular homage to the hero of the hour and place.
"I had an ovation!" the actor man said,
But I thought it uncommonly queer,
That people and critics by him had been led
By the ear.
But I thought it uncommonly queer,
That people and critics by him had been led
By the ear.
The Latin lexicon makes his absurd
Assertion as plain as a peg;
In "ovum" we find the true root of the word.
It means egg.
Assertion as plain as a peg;
In "ovum" we find the true root of the word.
It means egg.
- Dudley Spink
.com/t/lit/devils-dictionary/O/32.html
See also:
Trending
Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
