Fustian

Fustian is a term with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a type of coarse, twilled cotton fabric. It can also refer to inflated or pretentious language in speech or writing.

As Fabric:

Fustian was originally a strong, hard-wearing cloth made of cotton and sometimes linen. It was commonly used for working-class clothing and durable items like bags and linings. Different types of fustian included moleskin, corduroy, and velveteen. Its popularity stemmed from its affordability and durability compared to more expensive fabrics like wool or silk. The term "fustian" encompassed a variety of weaves and finishes, all characterized by their robust nature.

As Language:

Figuratively, "fustian" describes language or writing that is pompous, bombastic, and often insincere. It suggests an attempt to impress through elaborate and often meaningless or overblown expressions. Fustian language is characterized by its excessive use of ornate vocabulary, convoluted sentence structures, and a general lack of clarity. It implies a lack of genuine substance masked by theatrical presentation. This usage derives from the perceived cheapness and lack of refinement of the fabric itself, drawing a parallel between the low quality material and the empty rhetoric.

Etymology:

The word "fustian" likely derives from the Old French word fustaine, ultimately from the Latin fustaneum, referring to a cloth made in Fustat, a suburb of Cairo, Egypt, which was a major textile center in the Middle Ages.