dignitude

dignitude

English

Etymology

dignity +‎ -itude, originally a parody of uneducated speech.

Noun

dignitude (uncountable)

1. (humorous) Dignity, especially an overblown or false sense of dignity.
   • 1877. Mary Kyle Dallas, The Grinder Papers, G. W. Carleton & Company.

     I pranced along with the dignitude o' a queen, and didn't condescend fur tu give none o' the men sect a glance, and 'twasn't my conduct what injuced him fur tu redress me.

   • 1895. Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, in Punch, vol. 100-109, p. 197.

     A ghost-seer's dignitude does not stand on end if 'e twigs that 'is cackle is met with a smile.

   • 2019. Scott Lemieux, "Republicans Again Uphold the Equal Sovereign Dignitude of the States", Lawyers, Guns & Money.