Dictionary definition of “multi-hyphenate”

multi-hyphenate

n. a person who has (or is known for having) several main occupations. Also attrib. Subjects: English, Arts & Literature, Entertainment

Editorial Note: Thanks to Michael Hobson for suggesting today’s entry!

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Citations: 1969 Wayne Warga L.A. times (Mar. 30) “Pogostin: Gambling Man and Multi-Hyphenate”: Figuratively, he’s a multi-hyphenate. A television-writer-director-turrned-film-writer-director. 1986 Daniel Cariaga Los Angeles Times (Apr.6) “Smaller Deficit, Higher Hopes For Laco In 1986-87”: Heinz Holliger, that multi-hyphenate musician—he is, in the order of his fame, oboist, composer, conductor, flutist and pianist—spends an evening with followers of the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group. 1993 Usenet: rec.arts.movies (Dec. 31) “Ten Best Of 1993”: Multi-hyphenate Kenneth Branagh made it 2-for-2 in Shakespearean adaptations, forgoing HENRY V’s somber tone for a beautifully photographed and lavishly staged romp. 2004 Tasha G. Oren Global Currents (Sept. 25) p. 187: The brilliance of Asia’s foremost multitasking multihyphenates (actor-writer, director-producer, etc.)…is easily reduced to reductive caricature in the process of “translation.”

Posted 26 Jan 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Although I know of no citations, it seems the term could also be applied to people of multiple ethnicities—for example, a Scotch-English-Mexican-Am erican.

by Mark 28 Jan 06, 0135 GMT

I did find a couple instances of similar hyphenates to what you describe, but only two—not nearly enough to substantiate an alternate sense for the term.

by Grant Barrett 28 Jan 06, 0221 GMT

Many moguls are considered multihyphenate. The term is a euphemism for a successful jack of all trades and can be applied not just in professional but also in personal life. I consider myself a multihypenate professionally on a small level in that I can pigeon hole what I do as a Consultant very easily. (See www.multihyphenate.com)Pe rsonally, I also consider myself a multihyphenate best explained by the logo at www.momsoup.com with additions of amateur artist along with other specific personality traits. To me everyone is a multihyphenate in their own way

by judy 21 Mar 07, 1156 GMT

oops, I meant to say that I CAN’T pigeon hole what I do as a Consultant very easily.

by judy 21 Mar 07, 1221 GMT