Pecksniffian means unctuously hypocritical and self-righteous. Pecksniffian is a Dickensian word that originates with the character of Seth Pecksniff from Charles Dickens’s Martin Chuzzlewit. Pecksniffian has been used synonym of hypocritical since 1849.
One who is pecksniffian is one who brags about their own virtues and preaches morality, while using any means to achieve and advance their own selfish interests. A very good example is the way politics of basically any kind work since so much of it is based in pecksniffian preaching and odious action or in-action.
It all seems to be a pecksniffian farce, with greed being the only true, motivating factor…
Yeah, so I’m feeling all kinds of ways about the current and on-going state of politics in the US and pecksniffian is such an ideal word for how so many in “power” act. I’m doing what I can, using my voice and my actions to the best of my ability and yet there are times is can feel so fruitless and futile…sigh. I’m still hopeful, and I still believe in a world where love for all and acceptance for all can truly exist – it just hurts a lot more sometimes. I hope you are all taking care of yourselves and extending grace, kindness and softness to yourself as much as possible. Also, please don’t be pecksniffian!
Namaste ~ Ella
*Check out the Word Nerd Index and my Word Nerd Pinterest Board for other superb words!
** If there’s a word you’d like to see added to the Word Nerd roster, please feel free to contact me or suggest it in the comments – I enjoy feedback and recommendations!
Lawhimsy 