Apedia

Rodomontade Orlando Conn Showman Rah Duh Mun Tayd Rah Duh Mun Tahd Noun Pretentious

Front rodomontade \rah-duh-mun-TAYD or rah-duh-mun-TAHD\
Back
noun
Pretentious boasting.

adjective
Bragging

verb intr.
To boast; brag.

[From Middle French, from Italian Rodomonte, the boastful king in Orlando Innamorato by Matteo Boiardo and Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.]

"It is difficult to believe that a reformed and tempered man would agree to a poster of himself with the following copy: `The sum of the amusement world from which all lesser luminaries borrow light. Born in the town of Bethel, Conn., July 5, 1810. Started as a showman in 1835. He has conceived and exhibited more gigantic amusements and enterprises than any other showman that ever lived. (He) is the wealthiest manager on the face of the Earth and projector and builder of a great city, (he) has been the frequent guest of emperors, kings and queens. Once mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., 4 times member of state legislature, an editor, an able writer and a popular lecturer in Europe and America.' Rodomontade and modesty aside, there is a serious Barnum worthy of our attention." - Ricky Jay, America's Prince of Humbug P.T. Barnum, The Los Angeles Times, Sep 17, 1989.

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