Comstockery

Comstockery
Comstockery 1905, from Anthony Comstock (1844-1915), founder of New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (1873) and self-appointed crusader against immorality, + -ERY (Cf. -ery). Coined by George Bernard Shaw after Comstock objected to "Mrs. Warren's Profession." "Comstockery is the world's standing joke at the expense of the United States" [Shaw, "New York Times," Sept. 26, 1905]. The Comstock lode, silver vein in Nevada, was discovered 1859 and first worked by U.S. prospector H.T.P. Comstock (1820-1870).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Comstockery —    Comstockery, an overzealous censorship of literature and other forms of art, was coined by George Bernard Shaw in reference to Anthony Cornstock (1844 1915). People in this day and age may have a hard time believing that one narrow minded… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • Comstockery — or comstockery [käm′stäk΄ər ē, kum′stäk΄ər ē] n. [after A. Comstock (1844 1915), U.S. self appointed censor: prob. coined by SHAW George Bernard] [often c ] ruthless suppression of plays, books, etc. alleged to be offensive or dangerous to public …   English World dictionary

  • comstockery — noun Censorship of literature and performances because of especially broad definitions of obscenity or immorality. Comstockery is the worlds standing joke at the expense of the United States …   Wiktionary

  • Comstockery — noun Etymology: Anthony Comstock + English ery Date: 1905 1. strict censorship of materials considered obscene 2. censorious opposition to alleged immorality (as in literature) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Comstockery — Comstocker, n. Comstockian, adj. /kum stok euh ree, kom /, n. overzealous moral censorship of the fine arts and literature, often mistaking outspokenly honest works for salacious ones. [1900 05; after A. COMSTOCK; see ERY] * * * …   Universalium

  • comstockery — com·stock·ery …   English syllables

  • Comstockery — Com•stock•er•y [[t]ˈkʌm stɒk ə ri, ˈkɒm [/t]] n. (sometimes l.c.) censorship or vigorous condemnation of literary and artistic works for alleged obscenity; prudery • Etymology: 1900–05; after A. Comstock; see ery …   From formal English to slang

  • comstockery — /kɒmˈstɒkəri/ (say kom stokuhree) noun Chiefly US overzealous censorship of the fine arts and literature, often mistaking outspokenly honest works for salacious ones. {named after Anthony Comstock, 1844–1915, US moralist} …  

  • Comstockery — noun censorship because of perceived obscenity or immorality • Hypernyms: ↑censoring, ↑censorship …   Useful english dictionary

  • Anthony Comstock — Portrait of Anthony Comstock Born March 7, 1844(1844 03 07) New Canaan, Connecticut, United States Occupation …   Wikipedia

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