Orwellian adj.
characteristic or suggestive of the writings of George Orwell, esp. of the totalitarian state depicted in his dystopian account of the future, Nineteen Eighty-four (1949)
SF Criticism
Dystopia
-
1949 St. Albans (Vermont) Daily Messenger 4 Nov. 4/3
Almost all the Orwellian techniques of a future totalitarianism are found here.
-
1950 Sphere (London) 8 Apr. 44
It is by now widely agreed, without Britain right in it, Western Europe is likely to evolve as a freak, to be eventually either German-dominated or recast in the mould of Moscow Communism (something leading to Orwellian 1984)
-
1950
A leap into the Orwellian future.
Up the Ladder from Charm to Vogue in Reporter 1 Aug. in On Contrary (1961) ii. 187 -
1959
Virtually perfect Orwellian ambivalences—(War is Peace, Love is Hate, Ignorance is Knowledge).
Advertisements for Myself (1961) 309 -
1986
The ruling council did not admit that such a hellhole existed in the new workers' paradise—or that monstrous inquisitions were conducted within its walls. In true Orwellian tradition, because the four-story complex of cells and torture chambers had no name, it did not exist.
Strangers . ii. 171
-
2001 Dreamwatch Mar. 24/1
Communications systems like television and Orwellian snooping devices are working just fine.
Research requirements
antedating 1949
Earliest cite
local Vermont newspaper
Research History
Stephen Goranson submitted a 1950 cite from The Sphere.Fred Shapiro submitted a 1949 cite from a local newspaper, found on the newspapers.com database.
Last modified 2021-01-14 12:27:31
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.