lampoon
UK: /læmˈpuːn/ | US: /læmˈpuːn/
n. a harsh satire or mocking critique, often in writing or art
vt. to publicly ridicule or mock someone or something
lampoon = lamp<mock (from French lampons "let us drink/gulp") + oon (noun suffix, influenced by French -on)
- lamp<mock>: Derived from French lampons (imperative of lamper "to gulp down"), used humorously in 17th-century drinking songs to mock others. Over time, it shifted to mean verbal mockery.
- oon<noun suffix>: A French-derived ending (cf. balloon, cartoon), giving the word a playful, exaggerated tone.
Etymology Origin:
The word lampoon originated in 17th-century France, where lampons ("let’s drink!") was a refrain in rowdy, satirical songs. English adopted it to describe witty, often cruel mockery—retaining the French spelling but narrowing its meaning to written or artistic ridicule. The suffix -oon adds a whimsical flair, fitting its theatrical roots.
The magazine published a brutal lampoon of the politician’s speech.
His latest novel lampoons the absurdity of corporate culture.
The cartoonist was famous for lampooning celebrities with exaggerated drawings.
She wrote a lampoon of her boss’s management style and circulated it secretly.
The play’s clever lampoon of social media trends had the audience laughing.