colloq. [f. SWELL sb. 9 + -ISM.] The character, style, or practice of a ‘swell.’
1840. Tait’s Mag., VII. 796/2. The only point of swellism which the Lord Advocate usually lacks, is white kids.
1862. The Era, 16 Nov., 10/1. An unique specimen of a vapid lordling, whose ‘swellisms’ half the young fellows who flock to the representation would think it ‘the right thing to do’ to imitate.
1870. Miss Bridgman, R. Lynne, II. ix. 188. Selwyn would be … contemptuous of Blake’s swellism.
