Very often in the speech of our contemporaries the phrase “pathos man” began to be used. This expression is used by many people who do not even understand the meaning of the word "pathos", which gave rise to this phrase.
Pomposity in speech
Most likely, when calling a person pathos, the speakers have in mind some features of his character, manner of behavior, and external style. First of all, the majority of respondents gave the following explanation: “A pathos person is an individual who loves and often uses beautiful ornate speech, sprinkled with high-sounding phrases and words.” An example of such a speech is the appeal of Gayev, the hero
of Chekhov’s play entitled “The Cherry Orchard,” to an old cupboard. In fact, his trick can be defined as pathetic, pompous, pretentious. Moreover, all three definitions are synonyms - as the explanatory and semantic dictionaries say. But can a person be called pathetic for his manner of expressing his thoughts?
Unlike others, standing out among all
Some people believe that a pathos person is one that stands out among the entire mass of people with its unusualness, that is, bright, extraordinary, unlike the rest.
Thus, pathos can be called any genius - a poet, musician, scientist. But this will be fundamentally wrong. A scientist sitting for days in his laboratory, forgetting to eat and wash - is this definition suitable for him? Yes, and a true artist, he is engaged in drawing or jewelry, sculpting sculptures or writing poetry, thinks little of himself at a time when creativity absorbs him with his head. Or maybe you should call pathos one who is trying to draw attention to himself by any means?
Is a pathos person a disgrace?
But if an individual constantly behaves as if he plays a role in some pathos movie or performance, if his speeches are excessively emotional and pompous, if his antics look like a bad play of an actor with his pomp and hypocrisy overflowing, his way of dressing and is her hair so extravagant that it makes others shocked? Perhaps such a person can be called pathos? And in general, what does “pathos person” mean - a phrase so often used in speech? Based on the semantic meanings of the root of definition, pathos is passion, inspiration, enthusiasm, a creative source, figuratively - a falsity. If the definition of "fake", "pompous" is applicable to a person, then, it would seem, then the expression "pathos man" in speech is permissible. But there are no fake people, there are people whose behavior is insincere, hypocritical. Therefore, this expression should be considered incorrect.
Three meanings of the adjective "pathos" - three use cases
Some people call pathos people for their way of dressing, to do some strange things not out of necessity or their own desire, but only in order to attract attention, “show off”, as today's youth say. Here is what “pathetic” means in terms of the semantics of this word according to modern dictionaries:
1) enthusiastic, offensive, solemn;
2) false, sugary, hypocritical;
3) prestigious.
In the first sense, an adjective may refer to speech, behavior, artwork, performance or film. In the second sense, this word - sugary, hypocritical - can be correlated with a person. But in the third meaning, it already seems to fit the subject: car, phone, home. Therefore, in modern speech, such phrases are allowed that would previously be inappropriate.