Namedropping: meaning, definitions and examples

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namedropping

 

[ ˈneɪmˌdrɒpɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social interactions

Namedropping is the act of mentioning the names of famous or influential people in conversation to impress others or promote oneself. This practice can often appear pretentious if done excessively or without genuine context.

Synonyms

name-dropping, name-dropping.

Examples of usage

  • During the dinner, he engaged in namedropping by citing his friendships with various celebrities.
  • Her constant namedropping made it hard to take her seriously.
  • In business meetings, namedropping can be a tactic to gain respect.
  • Namedropping famous authors can enhance a discussion about literature.

Translations

Translations of the word "namedropping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 citar nomes

🇮🇳 नाम ड्रॉपिंग

🇩🇪 Namen-Dropping

🇮🇩 penyebutan nama

🇺🇦 використання імен

🇵🇱 nawigacja po nazwiskach

🇯🇵 ネームドロッピング

🇫🇷 citation de noms

🇪🇸 mencionar nombres

🇹🇷 isim geçişi

🇰🇷 이름 드롭핑

🇸🇦 إسقاط الأسماء

🇨🇿 jmenování

🇸🇰 spomínanie mien

🇨🇳 提及名字

🇸🇮 omenjanje imen

🇮🇸 nafn-dropping

🇰🇿 аты-жөнін айту

🇬🇪 სახელების მოხსენიება

🇦🇿 ad düşürmə

🇲🇽 mencionar nombres

Etymology

The term 'namedropping' is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century, combining the verb 'drop', meaning to let fall, with 'name', referring to the act of mentioning someone's identity. The popularity of the term rose during a time when celebrity culture became increasingly prominent in society, particularly sparked by mass media exposure. Namedropping involves bringing up the names of well-known individuals, often to elevate one's own status or credibility in discussions. This act can convey social prestige, but it can also come across as insincere if the relationships are weak or exaggerated. As society places a high value on connections, namedropping has evolved into both a conversational tool and a potential social faux pas, reflecting the complexities of social dynamics in modern interactions.