grundyism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “grundyism” mean?
Excessive concern for propriety, prudishness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Excessive concern for propriety, prudishness.
A narrow-minded, moralistic, and overly conventional attitude that demands strict adherence to social customs and condemns any deviation as immoral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more likely to be encountered in British literary and historical commentary.
Connotations
Identical negative connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions; slightly higher frequency in British academic/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “grundyism” in a Sentence
the Grundyism of [social group/era]accuse [someone] of GrundyismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grundyism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The play was a critique of grundyish attitudes.
American English
- He rejected the town's grundyish social codes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, social history, and cultural studies to critique repressive social norms.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be considered a highly sophisticated or dated term.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grundyism”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grundyism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grundyism”
- Confusing it with 'grungy' (dirty) or 'grundle' (slang). Using it as a positive term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It derives from 'Mrs. Grundy', a character mentioned in Thomas Morton's 1798 play 'Speed the Plough', who symbolizes rigid conventional propriety.
While the term is dated, the concept remains relevant in discussions of cancel culture, social media censorship, and debates over political correctness.
Critics of excessive political correctness might draw a parallel, labeling it a modern form of Grundyism, though the original term was more about Victorian social and sexual morals.
Yes, 'grundyish' is occasionally used, as in 'a grundyish attitude'.
Excessive concern for propriety, prudishness.
Grundyism is usually formal/literary in register.
Grundyism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrʌndiɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrʌndiˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “What will Mrs. Grundy say?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRumpy aUNDY (auntie) who criticises everything – she's the source of Grundyism.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PRISON (Grundyism is the warden).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of 'grundyism'?