frabjous, a.
(ˈfræbdʒəs)
A nonsense-word invented by ‘Lewis Carroll’ (C. L. Dodgson), app. intended to suggest ‘fair’ and ‘joyous’; used vaguely by others in various contextual senses. Hence ˈfrabjously adv.
| 1872 ‘L. Carroll’ Through Looking-Glass i. 24 O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! 1899 Kipling Stalky 144 Oh, you frabjous asses! Ibid. 244 You're a dirty little schoolboy. Besides bein' frabjously immoral. 1935 ‘D. Smith’ in Famous Plays 1935–36 171 I'm frabjously late. 1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon iv. 96 Oh, frabjous day!.. All my life I have waited to hear those exquisite words, Peter darling, The sweep's come. 1970 New Yorker 10 Jan. 6/1 A frabjous sort of place in a somewhat vorpal neighborhood. |