Question: Why is a biting satire called a "lampoon"?
Take your time. Ready? And, The Answer Is:
This is such a peculiar word. Had I not known its meaning and
come upon it, I would guess from its sound that it came from
some slang expression, originating in New Orleans and having
a connotation that would put it in very questionable
taste.
Placing it in the French Quarter wouldn't be too far off
because the source of the word is French. It originates with
the Old French, lampons, "let us drink," from the verb
lamper, to guzzle. What's the connection between tossing off
a few pints and a parody? Simply that a popular method of
satirizing something or someone used to be to do it in a
drinking song. Such songs often began with the expression,
"let us drink," or in French, "lampons."
Do you suppose we can call a lampoon containing word play a
lampun?
(Source: A BROWSER'S DICTIONARY by John Ciardi)
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