- doggerel
- dog|ger|el [ `dɔg(ə)rəl ] noun uncountbad poetry, or poetry that is intended to be funny rather than serious
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Doggerel — is a derogatory term for verse considered of little literary value. The word probably derived from dog, suggesting either ugliness, or unpalatability (as in food fit only for dogs).[1] Contents 1 Etymology 2 Variants 3 … Wikipedia
Doggerel — Dog ger*el, a. [OE. dogerel.] Low in style, and irregular in measure; as, doggerel rhymes. [1913 Webster] This may well be rhyme doggerel, quod he. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Doggerel — Dog ger*el, n. A sort of loose or irregular verse; mean or undignified poetry. [1913 Webster] Doggerel like that of Hudibras. Addison. [1913 Webster] The ill spelt lines of doggerel in which he expressed his reverence for the brave sufferers.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Doggerel — [ dɔgərəl] der, s/ s, englische Bezeichnung für einen holprigen Vers ähnlich dem deutschen Knittelvers, oft bewusst für komische Effekte verwendet … Universal-Lexikon
doggerel — late 14c. (adj.); 1630s (n.), probably from DOG (Cf. dog) + pejorative suffix REL (Cf. rel) and applied to bad poetry perhaps with a suggestion of puppyish clumsiness, or being fit only for dogs. Attested as a surname from mid 13c., but the sense … Etymology dictionary
doggerel — ► NOUN 1) comic verse composed in irregular rhythm. 2) badly written verse. ORIGIN apparently from DOG(Cf. ↑doggish) (used contemptuously) … English terms dictionary
doggerel — [dôg′rəldôg′ər əl] n. [ME dogerel (Chaucer), prob. < It doga, barrel stave, but infl. by dog as in DOG LATIN: parallel with Ger knüttelvers, lit., cudgel verse, Prov bastonnet, little stick, type of verse] 1. trivial, awkward, often comic… … English World dictionary
doggerel — /daw geuhr euhl, dog euhr /, adj. 1. (of verse) a. comic or burlesque, and usually loose or irregular in measure. b. rude; crude; poor. n. 2. doggerel verse. Also, doggrel /daw greuhl, dog reuhl/. [1350 1400; ME; see DOG, REL; cf. DOG LATIN] * *… … Universalium
doggerel — 1. adjective /ˈdɒɡərəl/ a) Of a crude or irregular construction. (Originally applied to humorous verse, but now to verse lacking artistry or meaning.) True wit has seen its best days long ago; … Wiktionary
doggerel — [[t]dɒ̱gər(ə)l, AM dɔ͟ː [/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) If you refer to a poem as doggerel, you are emphasizing that you think it is very bad poetry. ...fragments of meaningless doggerel … English dictionary
doggerel — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English dogerel, probably diminutive of dogge dog Date: 14th century loosely styled and irregular in measure especially for burlesque or comic effect; also marked by triviality or inferiority II. noun Date: 1630… … New Collegiate Dictionary