An ordinary, timid person who indulges in daydreams involving great adventures and triumphs.[After the title character in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a short story (1939) by James Thurber, later made into a movie (1947) of the same name. More details on the movie are at http://imdb.com/title/tt0039808/ ]
James Thurber's story appeared in the March 18, 1939 issue of the New Yorker. In the story, Walter Mitty is a meek husband, rather uxorious, who fantasizes of great exploits to escape the humdrum of daily life. One minute he is dreaming of being a heroic pilot ("Throw on the power lights! Rev her up to 8500!"), next minute he becomes a daring naval commander. In his next thought he transforms into a master surgeon, and even a cool killer.
"The Mitty-ish George Jackson is a Peckham bank clerk who begins each day expecting a lottery win, and a man in whom hope -- despite its track record--springs eternal."
Dan Cairns; The Difficult Unicorn; Sunday Times (London, UK); Dec 15, 2002.
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