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panjandrum

/pænˈd͡ʒæn.dɹəm/ noun

Coined: 18th century, by Samuel Foote Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about panjandrum at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. An important, powerful or influential person; muckamuck.
  2. A self-important or pretentious person.
  3. A massive, rocket-propelled, explosive-laden cart designed by the British military during World War II.

Origin

Coined as a nonce word in the 18th century by British dramatist Samuel Foote.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)