"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.
实用例句
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.
来自《简明英汉词典》
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.
来自英汉文学 - 盖茨比
3. You are neither a prig nor a bounder.
你既不是道学先生又不鲁莽.
来自辞典例句
4. Charles thinks he's better than the rest of us, the self - righteous prig!
