Rigdum Funnidos
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Rigdum Funnidos is a character in Henry Carey's Chrononhotonthologos (1734). Rigdum Funnidos is the comically plain-spoken contrast to the bombastic Aldiborontiphoscophornio. Both are courtiers, but whereas Aldiborontiphoscophornio might explain, when asked who Somnus is,
- "The Son of Chaos and of Erebus,
- Incestuous Pair! Brother of Mors relentless,
- Whose speckled Robe and Wings of blackest Hue,
- Astonish all Mankind with hedeous Glare;
- Himself with sable Plumes to Men benevolent
- Brings downy Slumbers and refreshing Sleep,"
Rigdum Funnidos responds,
- "This Gentleman may come of a very good Family, for aught I know; but I would not be in his Place for all the World." (I i, 47-54).
Rigdum is both a Sancho Panza to the absurd Aldiborontiphoscophornio and a figure of the "Plain Dealer" (see The Plain Dealer by William Wycherly).
It is also Sir Walter Scott's nickname for John Ballantyne. Scott's epithet was a compliment.
