picture-skew en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ˈpɪkt͡ʃəˌskjuː/ (UK)
Etymology
A deliberately mispronounced respelling of picturesque, for humorous effect.
Meanings
-
(alt-of, alternative, humorous, not-comparable) Alternative form of picturesque.
alt of picturesque
Cheap-looking, true — but picture-skew — my Kots will stretch for miles […]
1945: New statesman: The Week-end Review (Statesman and Nation Publishing), page 31^({1}) “[…] I thought it was out of date to like things to be picture-skew,” Peter said, […] ^({2}) Picture-skew; a bit of tout droit; carry on, Jeeves; the horrible puns […]
1958, George Smith, The Cornhill Magazine, volume 170, numbers 1015-1020, Smith, Elder and co, page 333:This was their first trip on this road. That they were thrilled, their faces showed. One of them oft admired the view, Exclaiming, “Ain’t that picture-skew”!
1943: James Styles, The Soul of the Universe, and Other Poems (New Method Ptg. Co.), page 12“[…] We’ll get the elk and the deer and the rocks in our own picture-skew way, won’t we, Ron?” “If you mean ‘picturesque’ I’d say that you are quite right. […]”
2005, Philip Hart, The Flight of the Mystic Owls, Kessinger Publishing, page 184:However, in a broad-brimmed hat And frilly dress, she figured that She looked quite sweet and picture-skew, When seated in a green canoe.
1926: Florence Nelson & C F Scheer, Safety education (Education Division, National Safety Council), page 22