Fustian (also called Fustanum and bombast) is a term for a variety of heavy woven cloth, cotton fabrics, that are chiefly prepared for menswear. It is also used to refer to pompous, inflated or pretentious writing or speech, from at least the time of Shakespeare. This literary use is because the cloth type was often used as padding, hence, the purposeless words are 'bombast'.
Read more about Fustian: History and Use, Manufacture, Political Significance
Famous quotes containing the word fustian:
“Here of this fustian animall,
Till I enravisht climb into
The Godhead on this ladder doe:
Where all my pipes inspir’de upraise
And Heavenly musick, furr’d with praise.”
—Edward Taylor (1645–1729)