Garbo1
(ˈgɑːbəʊ)
The name of the film actress Greta Garbo (real name Greta Gustafsson; born 1905), used in various locutions (chiefly colloq.) as: to do a Garbo, to behave like Greta Garbo; to be aloof or retiring; to seek seclusion; Garboesque, Garboic, Garboish, Garbo-like adjs., resembling or characteristic of Greta Garbo; Garbo hat, a felt hat with a wide floppy brim.
| 1934 [see do v. 11 d]. 1934 Tit-Bits 31 Mar. 12/2 ‘To do a Garbo’..means to be proud, aloof and unbending. 1937 Times 18 Oct. 15/4 We all fully understand the necessity for these Garboic tactics. 1942 Jespersen Mod. Eng. Gram. VI. xix. 326 Thus we have Casanovesque.., Garboesque (NP [= in a newspaper] 1936). 1955 A. West Heritage vi. 255 She was wearing a Garboish hat that framed her entirely unmade-up face. 1958 Vogue Apr. 134 (caption) A grey flannel Garbo pull-on hat. 1958 J. Courage in C. K. Stead N.Z. Short Stories (1966) 32 The night-sister and her Garbo-like face. 1962 N. Freeling Love in Amsterdam ii. 74 Her features..had, indeed, the Garboesque cast that is exceedingly attractive. 1963 ― Because of Cats vii. 105 Housewives..in playsuits and sunglasses and Garbo hats, languidly pushing energetic toddlers—also in Garbo hats—in go-carts. 1967 N. Marsh Death at Dolphin ii. 38 He loathes publicity and does a Garbo. 1970 R. Johnston Black Camels ii. 27 You really are in your Garbo mood, Ben. |