Name of a bombastic character, ‘Tartarin of Tarascon,’ created by A. Daudet; hence, used allusively as sb. or adj.
1903. T. P.’s Weekly, 11 Sept., 459/3. In his vivid red sash he carried two enormous pistols—tartarin pistols,… that not alone did not, but could not fire a shot.
1905. Blackw. Mag., May, 643/1. There are too many loquacious Tartarins abroad without the engaging ways of the man of Tarascon.
1906. Academy, 17 Nov., 492/1. Its Gasconing is in the Tartarin vein.
