or attic style, attic wit, subs. phr. (literary).—Well-turned phrases spiced with refined and delicate humour.
1633. The Great and Famous Battle of Lutzen [Harleian Miscellany, IV. 185]. Written in a STILE SO ATTICK … that it may well be called the French Tacitus.
1738. POPE, Epilogue, Sat. II. 83. While Roman Spirit charms, and ATTIC WIT.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). In Philology, we say ATTIC-SALT, for a delicate, poignant kind of wit and humour after the Athenian manner, who were particular in this way.
1760. STERNE, Tristram Shandy, V. iii. Triumph swam in my father’s eyes, at the repartee: the ATTIC SALT brought water into them.
1779. SHERIDAN, The Critic, i. 2. I … only add—characters strongly drawn—fund of genuine humour—mine of invention—neat dialogue—ATTIC-SALT.
1848. J. HANNAY, King Dobbs, ix. 129 (1856). ‘What? is it unlucky to spill ATTIC-SALT, as well as the ordinary kind?’
