panjandrum
Self-important official
A panjandrum is a pompous, self-important person who holds or claims to hold authority—especially one whose power is more ceremonial than real.
The word is mock-grandiose, often used satirically: The local panjandrums gathered to debate the zoning ordinance.
It deflates pretension by naming it with an absurdly inflated title.
Government administrative official
- bigwigInfluential, important person
- dignitaryPerson of high rank
- potentateRuler with great power
- mogulInfluential industry leader
magnate · mandarin · functionary · executive · administrator · director · chief · officeholder
Exaggerating one's own significance
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
condescending · supercilious · snobbish · egotistical · pontifical · bombastic · patronizing · smug
bureaucrat
Government administrative official
mogul · magnate · mandarin · functionary · executive · administrator · director · chief · officeholder · authority
self-important
Exaggerating one's own significance
overbearing · condescending · supercilious · snobbish · egotistical · pontifical · bombastic · patronizing · smug · domineering
caricature
Exaggerated comic depiction
burlesque · sendup · spoof · farce · satire · ridicule · absurdist · theatrical · comic · exaggeration
panjandrumnobody
Inconsequential person
nonentity · underling · minion · servant · humble servant