a. U.S. [f. as prec. + -ICAL.] = prec. Hence Sophomorically adj.
1847. Wells & Davis, Sketches Williams Coll., 74 (Thornton). The Professor told me it was rather Sophomorical. Wonder what was intended by that epithet.
1859. Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), 429. Sophomorical. A term applied to speeches and writings containing high-sounding words and but little sense.
1883. Science, II. 113/2. The paper is decidedly sophomorical.
1889. Literary World (Boston), 21 Dec., 485/2. The question of public worship is discussed rather sophomorically by Rev. D. S. Clark, and more thoughtfully and soberly by an unnamed ‘pastor.’
