Carnegie as he appears in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Andrew Carnegie ( kar- NAY -gee , but commonly KAR -nÉ-ghee or kar- NEG -ee ; November 25, 1835 â August 11, 1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist .
pretentious. adjective. 1  Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case: a pretentious socialite. 2  Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority: made pretentious remarks about his education.
Grandiose, showy, ostentatious, pretentious all refer to conspicuous outward display, either designed to attract attention or likely to do so. Grandiose and showy are alike in that they may suggest impressiveness that is not objectionable: the grandiose sweep of the arch; a fresh bouquet of showy zinnias. Grandiose, however, most often implies inflation or exaggeration to the point of absurdity: grandiose, impractical plans; a ridiculously grandiose manner.