Bandboxical

/bændbɑːkˈsɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or characteristic of something that comes from a bandbox; neat, prim, or overly formal in appearance; artificially perfect.

Etymology

From bandbox plus the adjectival suffix -ical. This rare adjective emerged in 19th-century English to describe things that seemed unnaturally perfect or fresh, like clothing just removed from a bandbox.

Kelly Says

The term 'bandboxical' was Victorian slang for someone who looked too perfect or stiff — the implication was that they were as rigid and pristine as a hat just removed from its pasteboard box!

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