Pollyanna /ˌpɒlɪˈænə/. Also Polyanna and with lower-case initial. The name of the heroine of stories written by Eleanor Hodgman Porter (1868-1920), American children’s author, used with allusion to her skill at the ‘glad game’ of finding cause for happiness in the most disastrous situations; one who is unduly optimistic or achieves happiness through self-delusion. Also attrib., Comb., and as adj.
1913 E. H. Porter Pollyanna xv. 148 - ‘Her name is Pollyanna Whittier.’.. ‘And what are the special ingredients of this wonder-working-tonic of hers?’.. ‘As near as I can find out it is an overwhe…