Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Using an exaggerated, highly subjective style, as in journalism.
  • adjective Extreme, unconventional, or bizarre.
  • adjective Crazy, excited, or unrestrained.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective journalism Using an unconventional, exaggerated and highly subjective style, often when the reporter is part of the story.
  • noun A wild or crazy person

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Perhaps Italian, simpleton (perhaps short for Borgonzone, Burgundian) or Spanish ganso, dullard, goose (of Germanic origin; see ghans- in Indo-European roots).]

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Examples

  • He pioneered what became known as gonzo journalism, living life on the edge and famously writing about his experiences.

    CNN Transcript Feb 9, 2007 2007

  • Looking at the messages in the media that perpetuate rape myths and even make us very rape tolerant is crucial to primary prevention of this type of violence (e.g., take pornography - both the "soft core" and the "gonzo" - how pornography in general has become so much more mainstream, just as the more violent and hateful versions have become more extreme). thank you for the good work you do! goedel

    NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Podcast | PBS 2009

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

  • George Condo: A Collection of Etchings | Condo is typically known for bold paintings so brash as to be referred to as gonzo "artificial realism," the term the artist uses to describe his works, which by turns are meditative, wry, irreverent and fantastical, reflecting Condo's now-iconic surrealistic mash-up of old and modern masters.

    Bill Bush: I Shot Andy Warhol: This Artweek.LA (June 13-19) Bill Bush 2011

Comments

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  • Not sure, but I'd guess this was popularized by Hunter S. Thompson's "gonzo journalism"...

    August 13, 2007

  • That, or the muppet.

    August 14, 2007

  • Isn't there a bean called the "gonzo bean"?

    February 2, 2009

  • Garbanzo bean?

    February 2, 2009

  • Does that mean there's a kind of pornography called garbanzo porn. Maybe that was what was wrong with the PETA ad that was rejected from the Superbowl -- too many busty vegetarians getting naked in large vats of garbanzo beans.

    Hot hummus vegetarian-on-vegetarian action.

    February 2, 2009

  • in cycling, it is also the crazy unconventional stunt

    January 12, 2013

  • Hello My Dear! how are you i am interested to be your good friend can you please send me an mail to my mail box so that i can tell you about me and give you my pic ( beccadd15@yahoo.com )

    i will be waiting you in my mailbox ok.

    January 13, 2013