Big-wig

(A ). A person in authority, a “nob.” Of course, the term arises from the custom of judges, bishops, and so on, wearing large wigs. Bishops no longer wear them.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Big-wig from Fact Monster:

  • Big-wig - Big-wig (A ). A person in authority, a “nob.” Of course, the term arises from the ...
  • Adelantado - Adelantado A big-wig, the great boss of the place. It is a Spanish word for “his ...
  • Wig - Wig A variation of the French perruque, Latin pilucca, our periwig cut short. In the middle of the ...
  • Card - Card That's the card. The right thing; the ticket. The reference is to tickets of admission, ...
  • Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: B - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "B"

Related Content

© 2000–2008 Pearson Education, publishing as Fact Monster