/ˈɡɑnzoʊ/, /ˈɡɒnzəʊ/
OriginCoined in 1971 by Boston Globe editor Bill Cardoso. Of uncertain origin; OED proposes Italian gonzo (“dolt”) and / or Spanish ganso (“dolt, goose”). The etymology supplied by Cardoso himself (French gonzeaux) is spurious.
- Using an unconventional, exaggerated, and highly subjective style, often when the reporter takes part in the events of the story.
“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”
- Unconventional, bizarre, crazy.
“Nicholson’s Torrance is an evil clown ... Appropriately, pop culture has embraced him as a gonzo antihero: Ads for T-shirts emblazoned with the “Here’s Johnny” Nicholson”
- countable, uncountableGonzo journalism or a journalist who produces such journalism.
““Unstable” indeed! Those swine: Next year we should demand a gonzo category – or maybe R S should give it. Of course: “The first annual Rolling Stone award for the year's finest example of pure gonzo ”
- countableA wild or crazy person.
Formsmore gonzo(comparative) · most gonzo(superlative) · gonzos(plural)