mere pabulum
- noun
- /mɪr ˈpæbjʊləm/
- Formal
:
pabulum
- Many talk shows today offer mere pabulum rather than real discussion.
Examples
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She found the movie to be mere pabulum, with nothing original or stimulating.
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The speech was dismissed as mere pabulum by most critics.
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This is just mere pabulum!
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Don't waste your time on that mere pabulum!
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Many talk shows today offer mere pabulum rather than real discussion.
-
She found the movie to be mere pabulum, with nothing original or stimulating.
-
The speech was dismissed as mere pabulum by most critics.
Synonyms
102
3.1
Words or writing that have no value
16
3.5
Unimportant words in writing or speech
7
9.7
Simple words and ideas that lack real meaning
5
9.3
Words or ideas that sound important but have little real meaning
5
8.7
Silly talk about unimportant things
3
9.9
Simple, boring writing or speech that has no real ideas
1
9.9
Simple, boring ideas that do not make you think
Cheap, silly writing or shows that give little real information
Worthless showy things meant to impress people
Antonyms
How Substantial
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'unsubstantial, bland material' follows directly from combining 'mere' (only/insignificant) with 'pabulum' (bland, unchallenging content): the adjective simply qualifies and intensifies the noun. Although the phrase is literary and 'pabulum' is rare, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can transparently infer the overall meaning.
Etymology
The expression mere pabulum comes from Latin: pabulum meant 'food' or 'fodder' and mere meant 'just' or 'only', so imagine being fed plain animal feed instead of real, nourishing food. That's why mere pabulum now describes writing or speech that is shallow, bland, or without real substance.