Human Peacocking's definitions

Mundane hobby brag

When someone high in status brags about having a surprisingly mundane, lowly, stigmatized, crass, or boring hobby. Hobby examples include gardening, cooking, video games, arts and crafts, or some other activity typically associated with common people.

There goes that famous movie star again Mundane Hobby Bragging about his weekend spent gardening

by Human Peacocking May 18, 2023

Peacock's Law

The greater the status, the greater the liklihood of norm violation

John is demonstrating following the peacock's law by walking into his office in T-shirt and sandals while all his employees have to be in a suit

by Human Peacocking May 29, 2023

Davos Effect

The Davos effect refers to when two high status people walk towards each other with no idea who is higher or should get out of the other's way.

It happens in environments where there are very high status people but with no hierarchical context or idea of who the others are.

The term was coined for the World Economic Forum (WEF), held in Davos. Because high status attendees are not allowed to bring an entourage, no one knows who is higher in status and they habitually walk into each other because everyone refuses to give way.

Those two CEOs just showed the Davos Effect, they walked directly into each other, neither knew who should get out of the other's way!

by Human Peacocking January 23, 2024

Pedigree Mimic

A person who pretends to have credentials or background experience or a pedigree that they don't actually have. For example, they did a month course at Harvard and put 'Harvard graduate' on their profiles. Technically this is true, but the audience assumes a broader pedigree than the person actually has.

Tom's resume was selected because he's was pedigree mimicing and included that week harvard class in his resume.

by Human Peacocking July 7, 2023

Humility brag

To conspicuously show off how humble one is. To advertise that one doesn't have an ego, that one doesn't want or seek status or attention, doesn't care about fame/fortune, etc.

Look at John humility bragging about how he never takes credit for anything!

by Human Peacocking May 12, 2023

Vulnerability Brag

Purposefully highlighting your sensitivity, pain, fears, or weaknesses to a public audience.

There goes another CEO using a vulnerability brag by crying on social media

by Human Peacocking July 16, 2024

Vocal Yokle maneuver

When a high status & otherwise vocally articulate person deliberately speaks in very plain, simple, folksy, or uneducated language.

Often used by politicians, super rich, or other high status people when they want to see close to a lower status audience

Look at that fancy lawyer pulling the vocal yokle maneuver by speaking in super simple words to the jury as if he's not fancy, rich, & overeducated

by Human Peacocking May 10, 2023