English

Adverb

Uriah Heepishly ‎(comparative more Uriah Heepishly, superlative most Uriah Heepishly)

1. n a cloying, insincerely obsequious manner.
   • 1912, Margaret Westrup, Elizabeth in Retreat (John Lane, 1912) p. 2

     "I like to see you so ridiculous," he said ; " it just gives me the touch of superiority I need to keep me from becoming Uriah Heepishly 'umble ! "

   • 1995, Neal Gabler, "'Checkers' Lived Again - In Waldholtz's Act" (December 19, 1995)

     Where Nixon drew on class resentments - "I believe that it's fine that a man like Gov. (Adlai) Stevenson, who inherited a fortune from his father, can run for president," Nixon grumbled Uriah Heepishly in Checkers - Waldholtz drew on the staple of the daytime talk shows: gender resentment.

   • 2012, Stuart Maconie, Hope and Glory: A People’s History of Modern Britain (Random House, 2012) p. 96

     In this restaurant, as I was just tucking in, the owner came over and whispered Uriah Heepishly in my ear, 'I see we have a celebrity in tonight.'

   • 2012, Matthew Engel, "As sharp as a tack, Murdoch makes his points at Leveson press inquiry", Financial Times (Apr 26, 2012) p. 1

     It was noticeable that Mr Murdoch, happy to toy with the barrister like a cat with a baby mouse, kept sir-ring the judge Uriah Heepishly.