Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion Not-Quite-Science Forum The definition of the word "gaudy"

Lately, there's been an expression in sports commentaries and which broadcasters have been throwing around which has been added to the general parlance which I often though was being used incorrectly, and it's been bugging me. Everytime I heard it, it was like fingernails being dragged accross the proverbial chalkboard.

Here's an excerpt from an article by the SGV Tribune's Aram Tolegian. He's writing about a phenomenal HS quarterback in the area:

McDonough entered the season as the marquee player in the area. With the reputation he earned last year came high expectations of more gaudy stats and another successful season for his team.

I learned in school that the adjective gaudy means showy, or flashy or is used to refer to an ugly or garrish piece of clothing. How can statistics be gaudy? They are not ornate, I suppose they can be flashy but that isn't what the word refers to. How can a defensive back's high number of sacks be referred to as "those numbers are just gaudy!"

I've heard both Dan Dierdorf and Dick Enberg make similar statements.

After consulting three online dictionaries I found this definition on Merriam Webster's:

Main Entry: 1gau·dy
Pronunciation: 'go-dE, 'gä-
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): gaud·i·er; -est
1 : ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented
2 : marked by extravagance or sometimes tasteless showiness : OUTLANDISH <gaudy lies> <gaudy claims>; also : EXCEPTIONAL <a gaudy batting average>
- gaud·i·ly /'go-d&-lE, 'gä-/ adverb
- gaud·i·ness /'go-dE-n&s, 'gä-/ noun
synonyms GAUDY, TAWDRY, GARISH, FLASHY, MERETRICIOUS mean vulgarly or cheaply showy. GAUDY implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation <circus performers in gaudy costumes>. TAWDRY applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy <tawdry saloons>. GARISH describes what is distressingly or offensively bright <garish neon signs>. FLASHY implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar <a flashy nightclub act>. MERETRICIOUS stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise <a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars>.



So the dictionary defines it as exceptional, but that's the first I've heard of it and Webster is the only one that I have seen define it so. I wonder if the usage became part of the language or was added to it? Or has gaudy always been a synonym to exceptional? An antonym is modest or sober, so that implies the opposite of a gaudy batting average would be a modest one.

Can any English majors, teachers or other language authorities help me with this one? I really want to know if the sports hacks have been using the word correctly all along.

Here's my non-expert take on that.

I agree, it can be very irritating to have to accommodate the expanded use, or corruption, of a word that formerly had a single, well defined meaning. The problem, though, is that language evolves like a living entity. Although dictionaries provide definitions, they have to be updated regularly, not only with new words - "swinging" and "dodgy" from the sixties always come to mind - but with the changes brought about by common usage of existing words.

We may be annoyed by the process, but if the 'corruption' is persistent and replicated, it becomes a new animal whether we like it or not.

But gaudy scores...that's a classic case. Yuk!

There's an old Dilbert cartoon to the effect of "If enough people use bad grammar long enough, it becomes good grammar!"

I think that applies here.

You might want to try asking this question over at http://wordsmith.org/board/

There are two definite meanings for 'gaudy'. One is ' tasteless ornamentation' etc. I wonder if perhaps the commentators are mixing 'gaudy' with 'glamorous'. The original meaning of 'glamour' being 'a disguising enchantment' which would fit much this context better. Here in Oz the word the commentators would choose would be 'sexy' ie 'showy and exciting'! Also an incorrect usage I presume.

Another meaning of 'gaudy' is a very old term for feasts or university dinners in the older universities in the UK--where they have 'gaudy nights' and a very good (if gaudy time is had by all)!

There is also the undeniable fact the the Spanish architect, Gaudi, did his bit to ensure the theme of ostentation continues into the future.

Although it is irritating to hear words taken out of context, it is these shifts of meaning which ensure a language's survival. English is particularly good at it.