Where Does Sesquipedalian Come from?

Sesquipedalianism is a linguistic style that involves the use of long words. Roman poet Horace coined the phrase sesquipedalia verba in his Ars Poetica. It is a compound of sesqui, "one and a half", and pes, "foot", a reference to meter (not words a foot long).

What is the origin of the word sesquipedalian?

Background – sesquipedalian

The origins of the word sesquipedalian go right back to Roman times, when the poet Horace (65BC-8BC) coined the expression sesquipedalia verba, meaning literally 'words a foot and a half long'.

What does it mean if someone is sesquipedalian?

1 : having many syllables : long sesquipedalian terms. 2 : given to or characterized by the use of long words a sesquipedalian television commentator.