prig

英 [prɪg] 美 [prɪɡ]

prig 自命清高的人

词源不详。其原早的词义为补锅匠，修补匠，小毛贼，不受欢迎的人，后引申词义一本正经的人，自命清高的人。

prig (n.): "precisian in speech or manners," 1753, originally in reference to theological scruples (1704), of unknown origin; earlier appearances of the same word meaning "dandy, fop" (1670s), "thief" (c. 1600; in form prigger recorded from 1560s) could be related, as could thieves' cant prig "a tinker" (1560s).
A p[rig] is wise beyond his years in all the things that do not matter. A p. cracks nuts with a steam hammer: that is, calls in the first principles of morality to decide whether he may, or must, do something of as little importance as drinking a glass of beer. On the whole, one may, perhaps, say that all his different characteristics come from the combination, in varying proportions, of three things--the desire to do his duty, the belief that he knows better than other people, & blindness to the difference in value between different things. ["anonymous essay," quoted in Fowler, 1926]
Related: Priggery.

1. He had been railed against by them as a prig and a poseur.: 他们责骂他是一个沾沾自喜、装腔作势的人.

2. The transition from libertine to prig was so complete.: 一个酒徒色鬼竟然摇身一变就成了道学先生.

4. Charles thinks he's better than the rest of us, the self - righteous prig!: 查尔斯认为他比我们大家都强, 真是个自以为是的家伙!