newfangled
adjUK /ˌnjuːˈfæŋ.ɡəɫd/ · US /ˌnuˈfæŋ.ɡəld/
Etymology From new + fangled, from obsolete fangle (“to fashion”).
1
Derogatory, Disapproving, Humorous, Usually New and often needlessly novel or gratuitously different; recently devised or fashionable, especially when not an improvement.
- newfangled electronic gadgets that cost a lot and do little
- We notice by our exchanges that great efforts are being made throughout the western States especially, to palm off upon the farming public various kinds of patent churns, or to induce many mechanics to give large sums for the Right to manufacture the same—while in a majority of cases, we believe, the articles are absolutely worthless, or inferior to older kinds that might be procured for less money. We have repeatedly cautioned our readers against purchasing these new fangled churns until after they have been more fully tested; and we are happy to know that our remarks have saved not a few of our friends from imposition. To set this matter in a clearer light before our readers, we will glance at a few of the different churns, now most prominently before the public—some valuable, some useless.1849 January 15, “A Glance at Patent Churns”, in Ohio Cultivator: Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture and Domestic Economy, volume 5, number 2, page 17:
4 more examples
- Premier Mussolini operated a “new-fangled automobile” driven by electricity on a trial run yesterday, the German Transocean agency reported in a wireless transmission to the United States recorded by the New York Times.1942 September 6, “Mussolini Takes Wheel; Tries Out ‘New-Fangled’ Auto Driven by Electricity”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
- From the Marvel Mixmaster to the Miracle Microwave, every time a new-fangled gadget has lobbed into the Aussie kitchen, Aussie mums have changed their cooking styles accordingly.1987, Kerry Cue, Hang On To Your Horses Doovers, page 5:
- I have tried all the medium and short acting non-barbiturate sedatives since the war (including thalidomide) but they don’t work and I don’t trust the newfangled long acting, “safe” analgesics.1988, E[dward] J[ames] Moran Campbell, Not Always on the Level, [London]: British Medical Journal, →ISBN, page 194:
- [US president Donald Trump] might have in mind a newfangled protectionism that lasts generations.2025 January 23, Laurent Belsie, “Globalization is over. Will Trump tariffs reset US-China rivalry?”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
2
Fond of novelty.
- Derived terms
- danfangled, newfangledly, newfangledness, newfanglement
- Related terms
- danfangled, newfangle