gonzo

English

Etymology 1

Coined in 1971 by Boston Globe editor Bill Cardoso. Of uncertain origin; OED proposes Italian gonzo (“dolt”) and/or Spanish ganso (“dolt, goose”)[1]. The etymology supplied by Cardoso himself (French gonzeaux) is spurious[2].

Adjective

gonzo (comparative more gonzo, superlative most gonzo)

  1. (journalism) Using an unconventional, exaggerated and highly subjective style, often when the reporter takes part in the events of the story.
    • 1972, R. Pollack, Stop Presses, Chapter VI
      I ask Hunter to explain... Just what is Gonzo Journalism?.. ‘Gonzo all started with Bill Cardosa [sic],..after I wrote the Kentucky Derby piece for Scanlan's..the first time I realized you could write different. And..I got this note from Cardosa saying, ‘That was pure Gonzo journalism!’.. Some Boston word for weird, bizarre.’
Derived terms
References

Etymology 2

Noun

gonzo (plural gonzos)

  1. A wild or crazy person

Further reading

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish ganso.

Noun

gonzo m (plural gonzi)

  1. simpleton, dolt
  2. dupe

Descendants

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