jabberwocky

See also: Jabberwocky

English

Alternative forms

• jabborwocky

Etymology

From Jabberwocky, a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒæbɚwɔki/, /ˈd͡ʒæbɚwɔki/, /ˈd͡ʒæbɚwɑki/, [ˈd͡ʒæbɚwɑki]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

jabberwocky (usually uncountable, plural jabberwockies)

1. Invented or meaningless language; nonsense.
   • 1962, J. Hunter Holly, The Flying Eyes, page 47:

     "I like the way your mind works, Hosler," Stanley said. "You go after concrete proof of your contentions - none of this scientific jabborwocky."

Translations

invented or meaningless language

Adjective

jabberwocky (comparative more jabberwocky, superlative most jabberwocky)

1. meaningless, worthless
2. absurd, nonsense, nonsensical
   • 2009 August 28, The New York Times, “Pop and Rock Listings”, in New York Times‎:

     Only the Pet Shop Boys can sing jabberwocky lines like “I thought I heard a train/Down in the cemetery/Cellophane” and make them sound sexy and evil.

Translations

meaningless, worthless

absurd, nonsensical