Gonzo

/ˈɡɑnzoʊ/ adjective

Definition

Bizarre, unconventional, or involving wild exaggeration; especially used to describe a style of journalism that includes the author's subjective experiences and opinions.

Etymology

Possibly from Italian 'gonzo' (foolish) or Spanish origins, but popularized by American journalist Hunter S. Thompson in the 1970s to describe his wild, subjective style of writing.

Kelly Says

Hunter S. Thompson invented 'gonzo journalism' by accident—he was so enraged while covering a motorcycle race that he abandoned objectivity and wrote about his own drug-fueled experience, and this 'failure' to be professional became an influential new style!

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