hysterical realism
n.— «It was, he argued, a textbook example of a particular brand of contemporary fiction that [James] Wood has labelled “hysterical realism”, which indulges in glib cultural commentary at the expense of a more substantial engagement with the nuances of character. The defining feature of the genre is its bombastic quality: its fondness for cartoonish description, fantastic coincidences and smart but shallow allusiveness.» —“Shalimar the Clown” by James Ley Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Sept. 29, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The adjectives canine and feline refer to dogs and cats. But how does English address other groups of animals? Plus, cabin fever has been around much longer than the current pandemic. That restless, antsy, stir-crazy feeling goes back to the days...
Cat hair may be something you brush off, but cat hair is also a slang term that means “money.” In the same way, cat beer isn’t alcoholic — some people use cat beer as a joking term for “milk.” And imagine walking on a...