Attitudinarian

/ˌætɪˌtuːdɪˈneɪriən/ noun

Definition

A person who adopts exaggerated or affected attitudes and poses; someone who strikes artificial positions or affects false impressions.

Etymology

From attitude + -arian (suffix forming nouns for adherents or practitioners of something). This word emerged in English in the late 17th or 18th century as a critical term for affected people.

Kelly Says

Victorian critics used 'attitudinarian' as an insult for people—especially actors and dandies—who seemed to be constantly posing and pretending. It's a delightful word for 'fake' that implies theatrical exaggeration rather than simple dishonesty.

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