| 释义 |
Birrell|ˈbɪrəl|
The name of Augustine Birrell (1850–1933), English writer and politician, used in various formations (see quots.) alluding to his easy and discursive style, his beliefs, etc.
1894Westm. Gaz. 4 Apr. 3/1 ‘Birrelling.’ Mr. Birrell followed with a speech of quips and cranks, pleasantly diverting in a Scotch debate. 1896Ibid. 6 Feb. 2/3 How would he like the future chronicler to have to say that Birrellism and Trilbyism were the marked features of 1896? Ibid. 18 June 2/3 He was in the habit..of ‘birrelling’ his examiners. 1898G. W. E. Russell Coll. & Recoll. 212 To ‘birrell’ is now a verb as firmly established as to ‘boycott’, and it signifies a style, light, easy, playful, pretty, rather discursive, perhaps a little superficial. Its characteristic note is grace. 1906Daily Chron. 16 Feb. 4/7 It's a two to one chance..Religion, Irreligion, and Birreligion. 1906Westm. Gaz. 23 Feb. 3/1 The House rejoiced to hear a new Birrellism. 1906Daily Chron. 29 Dec. 3/5 A Birrelline Christmas card. 1937Times Lit. Suppl. 10 Apr. 271 Birrelled out of his pose of sympathy. Ibid., The Birrellian obiter dictum, fatal to a political reputation. 1960Times 9 May 16/2 Barrie-isms became even more popular than once Birrellisms had been. |