Lapalissian

See also: lapalissian

English

Alternative forms

• lapalissian

Etymology

From Jacques de la Palice (a French nobleman and military officer) + -ian. His epitaph, carrying the words “if he weren't dead, he would still be envied” (French s'il n'était pas mort, il ferait encore envie), was misread as the truism “if he weren't dead, he would still be alive” (s'il n'était pas mort, il ſerait encore en vie).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪsiən

Adjective

Lapalissian (comparative more Lapalissian, superlative most Lapalissian)

1. Very obvious, completely apparent.

Related terms

• lapalissade