WORD OF THE DAY: CRICHTON

CRICHTON
also ADMIRABLE CRICHTON
 
NOUN
a person who excels in all kinds of studies and pursuits; one who is noted for supreme competence; later, a person of an inferior social status or lower place in a hierarchy who is far more talented and capable and has more natural authority than his or her superiors ...1807

ETYMOLOGY
from the surname of James Crichton of Clunie (1560–85?), a Scottish prodigy of intellectual and knightly accomplishments;
in later use, chiefly after the character of the talented and resourceful butler in J. M. Barrie's play The Admirable Crichton (1914) (first performed in 1902), named in allusion to James Crichton of Clunie

FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1807 - see EXAMPLE below

EXAMPLE
"...To march in her usual track excites no admiration; but when, in her wanton moods, she forms an O'Brien of eight feet, and a Boruwlaski of three, an admirable Crichton with every accomplishment and a thousand other men with none, 'tis by these deviations that she raises astonishment..."
From: The Eccentric Mirror: Reflecting a Faithful and Interesting Delineation of Male and Female Characters, Ancient and Modern, Who have been particularly distinguished by extraordinary Qualifications, Talents, and Propensities, Natural or Acquired
- G. H. Wilson