Ruritanian refers to an imaginary place of high romance, characterized by adventure and intrigue.
Ruritanian se refiere a un lugar imaginario de alto romance, caracterizado por la aventura y la intriga.
| Front | Ruritanian \rur-uh-TAY-nee-un\ |
|---|---|
| Back | adjective Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an imaginary place of high romance. [In 1894, British author Anthony Hope published The Prisoner of Zenda, a novel set in the mythical kingdom of Ruritania. The book relates the adventures of Rudolf Rassendyll, a British gentleman who impersonates the king of Ruritania to save him from a treasonous plot. An improbable but high-spirited tale filled with heroes, villains, courtly intrigue, romance, and sword play, Hope's narrative (and its fictional locale) quickly captured the imagination of the public. Within two years of the novel's publication, George Bernard Shaw had seen fit to use "Ruritanian" as a generic adjective: "Our common sense ... must immediately put a summary stop to the somewhat silly Ruritanian gambols of our imagination." Romantic or fanciful places or things have been "Ruritanian" ever since.] "Popular mythology has it that teleworkers all live in Ruritanian bliss in the wilds of Wales with only sheep as neighbours." - Ross Clark, Property: The middle of nowhere will not do, The Daily Telegraph, 25 Jul 1998. |
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