Purple Prose 💜
Definition: Exceedingly florid, oversentimental writing. This term began life as “purple patches” in the Latin poet Horace’s De Arte Poetica (ca. 20 B.C.): “Often on a work of grave purpose and high promise is tacked a purple patch or two to give an effect of color.”
Related and Similar Terms:
- Bombastic: High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated.
- Flowery: Full of elaborate or literary words and phrases.
- Grandiloquent: Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner.
- Ornate: Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.
Proverbs & Expressions:
- “Much ado about nothing.” - William Shakespeare
- “Don’t gild the lily.” - An idiom meaning not to add unnecessary embellishments.
- “A little less conversation, a little more action.” - Elvis Presley
Synonyms:
- Baroque
- Pompous
- Effusive
- Overwrought
Antonyms:
- Plain
- Simple
- Concise
- Unadorned
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops.” — Stephen King
- “If you’ve got a story, then writing it plainly and honestly is the hardest part.” — Hemingway, probably, if he weren’t speaking in a pithy one-liner.
Recommended Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville (Dive deep – very, very deep! – into the whaling world)
- Books: “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (Gothic lushness at its wicked best)
- Songs: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (Musical purple prose, anyone?)
- Poetry: “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe (No surprises here – it’s extreme and it’s poetic!)
- Movies: “Moulin Rouge!” (Visual purple prose with an ornate story)
Fun With Quizzes:
### Which of these phrases best describes purple prose?
- [x] Exceedingly florid and over-sentimental writing.
- [ ] Writing that is terse and to the point.
- [ ] Dialects of grape farmers.
- [ ] Poetry written with purple ink.
> **Explanation:** Purple prose is known for its elaborate ornamentation, going above and beyond what's needed (and then some).
### What's an example of purple prose?
- [ ] A casserole recipe.
- [x] A five-page description of how "rosy-fingered Dawn unveiled her ethereal tresses."
- [ ] A grocery list.
- [ ] A legal document.
> **Explanation:** Purple prose is characterized by excessive embellishment which often takes the form of elaborate descriptions or overly poetic language.
### True or False: "I descended the staircase with the elegance of a thousand swans gracefully gliding down a moonlit stream" can be described as purple prose.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** The elaborate and fanciful description involves extreme embellishment typical of purple prose.
Author: A. Flowry Sentiments
Publishing Date: 2023-10-02
“Great writing doesn’t necessarily mean using the most elaborate words, but the right words to convey your story authentically. Stay true to your style, and remember – sometimes simplicity speaks volumes.” 🌻
