pompatus

Meaning

Noun

• One who is pompous or splendid.
• Pomp, ostentatiousness, or spectacle.

Origin

• First used in the lyrics of Steve Miller's 1972 rock song "Enter Maurice" ("whisper sweet words of epismetology in your ear and speak to you of the pompatus of love.") and popularized in his 1973 rock song "The Joker" ("Cause I speak of the pompatus of love"), but having no apparent meaning in either song. Inspired by the lyric "Oh my darling, let me whisper sweet words of pizmotality and discuss the puppetutes of love" the The Medallions "The Letter" written by Vernon Green. ("Puppetutes" described a fantasy paper-doll or puppet-like girl.)