lampshade

plural lampshades · alternative lamp-shade

1. A cover over a lamp to either diffuse the light or to block it in certain directions to avoid glare in the eyes.

   The hanging-bowl lampshade in marbled glass was two decades pre-war – the kind that marked out aged people.

   1998, Derek Beaven, chapter 9, in Acts of Mutiny, London: Fourth Estate, →ISBN, part 1 (Motion), page 34

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   It was all very well, this Bohemianism of red lamp-shades and cigarettes, but in the cold grey light that filtered through Partridge's grimy windows it did not show to any great advantage.

   1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 130

present singular third person lampshades · participle present lampshading · participle past lampshaded · past lampshaded · alternative lamp-shade

1. slanghuman sciencesTo intentionally call attention to the improbable, incongruent, or clichéd nature of an element or situation featured in a work of fiction within the work itself.

   Only one short bit of humor is endearing, lampshading the ridiculousness of an eye-mask being able to conceal a superhero's identity.

   2011 June 21, Corinne Gaston, “Adapted comic book flick has the ring, but no power”, in Daily Trojan

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   Rewriting a whole character is one heck of a chore but the editor/writer must either bite the bullet or indulge in some clever trickery like lampshading.

   2013, Heide Goody, Iain Grant, How to Write a Collaborative Novel, →ISBN

   Just as the push by writers in season 4 to make Homer stupider (a trend so established it was lampshaded in "The 138th Episode Spectacular") created some of the best episodes before eventually birthing an unlikable buffoon unaffectionately called "Jerkass Homer", so too is it less the episode itself as much as what it represented.

   2019 April 30, Alex Leadbeater, “Did "Marge Be Not Proud" Start The Simpsons' Decline In Season 7?”, in Screen Rant

2. fashionTo wear an oversize top with skintight thigh-high boots and no leggings.

   Kate Moss lampshaded, Bella Hadid lampshaded—hell, nearly every Kardashian took the trend for a spin.

   2018 August 17, Lindsey Lanquist, “We're Halfway Through 2018, and Ariana Grande Is Still Lampshading”, in Style Caster

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   Pants. Who needs them? Definitely not celebrities sporting the lampshading or "no pants" trend this summer.

   2017 September 27, Sara M Moniuszko, “Lampshading lives on with the 'no pants' trend – The leggy styles, explained”, in USA TODAY

   Lampshading – or, wearing an oversized top with over-the-knee boots – isn't just for Ariana Grande.

   2018 December 8, Courteney Larocca, “Lampshading: Olivia Culpo & More Stars Who Nailed Ariana Grande's Hoodie & Thigh-High Boots Look”, in Hollywood Life

   Adding to this, she aces the casual-chic look of oversized sweatshirts and hoodies paired with thigh-high boots, known as lampshading.

   2018 December 30, “Ariana Grande's 'lampshading' a major 2018 fashion trend”, in The New Indian Express

3. To adorn with one or more lampshades.

   Her hotel sitting-room had, as usual, been flowered, cushioned and lampshaded into a delusive semblance of stability; and she had really felt, for the last few weeks, that the life she was leading there must be going to last — it seemed so perfect an answer to all her wants!

   1913, Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country

4. To design or create lampshades.

   Finally she took a job decorating lampshades. Lampshading, as she called it, left her drained and without impetus or inspiration to draw, which always made her unhappy.

   1993, Audur H. Winnan, Wanda Gag, page 8

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   Ruth Vitow (160 East 56th Street, 355-6881) has been the doyenne of lampshading for 30 years. She makes up designs in all categories, and her own custom lamps of Lucite and wood.

   1975, New York - Volume 8, page 181