{"id":252,"date":"2021-11-18T17:06:59","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T17:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=252"},"modified":"2021-11-18T17:06:59","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T17:06:59","slug":"pomp-and-circumstance-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/pomp-and-circumstance-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Pomp and Circumstance - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re making a pretentious display of grandeur around your achievements, you\u2019re using \u201cpomp and circumstance<\/em><\/strong>\u201d to elevate your position in the eyes of your peers or subordinates. This phrase has typical use by people witnessing the event in a description of loathing for sitting through the presentation.<\/p>\n

Pomp and circumstance<\/em> is something you might hear when your colleague references an overbearing manager talking about their achievements.<\/p>\n

The manager or your boss might refer to a project and how they were the defining character for making it happen instead of mentioning their team. Typically, it displays megalomanic behavior in individuals who think highly of themselves, while others find them overbearing.<\/p>\n

This post unpacks the meaning and origin of pomp and circumstance<\/em>, and we\u2019ll look at how to use it in a sentence.<\/p>\n

Pomp and Circumstance Meaning<\/h2>\n

The meaning of pomp and circumstance<\/em> refers to an ostentatious display of superiority. For example, you\u2019re giving a speech at a gala dinner, and you end up talking too much about your achievements, making you seem like you are the center of the universe.<\/p>\n

People watching you make a fool of yourself will find it irritating, and they\u2019ll refer to your speech as all \u201cpomp and circumstance<\/em>,\u201d referring to your selfish and self-centered behavior.<\/p>\n

Pomp and Circumstance Example Usage<\/h2>\n

Some of the ways people use pomp and circumstance in a conversation are the following.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • His speech was nothing but pomp and circumstance<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • The boss held us back for an hour to tell us about the project, but it was all just pomp and circumstance<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • You think you know what you\u2019re talking about, but that was all just pomp and circumstance<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Pomp and Circumstance Origin<\/h2>\n

    The origin of pomp and circumstance comes from the Shakespeare play, \u201cOthello<\/em>,\u201d where during Act III, scene III, you hear the line \u201cPride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war<\/em>!\u201d The word \u201cpomp<\/em>\u201d refers to a celebration or a spectacular display.<\/p>\n

    It comes from Latin, French, and English language origins, and the more common modern iteration of the word is \u201cpompous<\/em>.\u201d In the 1980s, there was a form of \u201cglam rock,\u201d<\/em> known as \u201cpomp rock<\/em>.\u201d Circumstance refers to your surroundings.<\/p>\n

    In 1640, Philip Massinger wrote a play named the \u201cBashful Lover<\/em>,\u201d featuring the line \u201cThe minion of his prince and court, set off With all the pomp and circumstance<\/em> of greatness.\u201d The phrase pomp and circumstance <\/em>might not seem like it has much use in modern language, but it\u2019s still around.<\/p>\n