bathos

The definition of bathos means an abrupt switch in writing style from fancy and epic to common and trivial, whether in wording or subject.

(noun)

An example of bathos is comparing a ballerina's beautiful pose to that of a household pet's sleeping position.

See bathos in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an abrupt, often ludicrous change from the lofty to the ordinary or trivial in writing or speech; unintentional anticlimax
false pathos; sentimentality
hackneyed quality; triteness

Origin: Gr bathos, depth < bathys: see bathy-

See bathos in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An abrupt, unintended transition in style from the exalted to the commonplace, producing a ludicrous effect.
b. An anticlimax.
a. Insincere or grossly sentimental pathos: “a richly textured man who . . . can be . . . sentimental to the brink of bathos” (Kenneth L. Woodward).
b. Banality; triteness.

Origin:

Origin: Greek, depth

Origin: , from bathus, deep

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