Priggishnesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tendency to display excessive propriety or moral superiority, often in a self-righteous manner
2. The quality of being overly concerned with decorum or conventional behavior, typically judging others harshly
3. An attitude characterized by smugness about one's own correctness in manners and morals, leading to judgmental behavior towards differing values

Etymology: The term "priggishnesses" emerges from the adjective "priggish," which describes someone who is excessively proper or smugly self-righteous, often in relation to moral behavior or social decorum. This word can be traced back to the early 19th century, with its roots likely grounded in a combination of the word "prig" and the suffix "-ish." "Prig," which itself dates back to the 16th century, originally referred to a person who is overly concerned with propriety or a self-righteous individual, possibly deriving from "prig," a dialect term for a thief or a petty thief, suggesting a sense of moral superiority without foundation. The evolution of this term paints a vivid picture of societal expectations and judgments. Initially, "prig" was used in a somewhat pejorative sense, denoting someone who affected moral superiority, often to the annoyance of others. The suffix "-ish" is a common English formation that often conveys a sense of quality or tendency, so "priggish" suggests the tendency to behave in an overly prim or moralizing manner. The plural form "priggishnesses" indicates a focus on multiple instances or varieties of this behavior, highlighting the nuances and variations in how self-righteousness can manifest in different contexts. Such a construction emphasizes that priggishness is not a singular trait but rather an array of attitudes and behaviors that may be exhibited by individuals or groups. This term encapsulates a critique of social pretentiousness, suggesting a collective awareness of, and perhaps distaste for, those who take moral posturing to an extreme. Although this particular plural form is somewhat rare in contemporary usage, the underlying concept remains relevant in discussions about social behavior and moralism. The term offers a historical snapshot of changing social mores and the language used to describe the individuals who embody—or perhaps exaggerate—those norms.

Synonyms: self-righteousness, snobbery, prudishness, fastidiousness

Antonyms: open-mindedness, tolerance, nonchalance, carelessness