Human Peacocking's definitions

Death Clout

Publicly highlighting or advertising aspects of one's own impending death that reflect favourably upon the person dying - Often done to get attention & status, or to demonstrate moral superiority over others.

John said he's arranging a green funeral so he can save the planet with his death, he's really going for that death clout

by Human Peacocking January 2, 2023

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

Autism Bragging

Conspicuously highlighting 'neurodivergency' or autism or 'being on the spectrum' to an audience for personal gain.

Often used by those who are high in status and want to contrast their success with some form of hardship in order to get more credit or acclaim, or to appear as some sort of savant not affected by crass social movements, social contagion, or faddish popular opinions

There is Bob autism bragging again to investors to try to get more money for his hedge fund.

by Human Peacocking February 25, 2024

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

Virtue brag

Bragging that one voluntarily exercises self restraint in the face of temptation, or takes less than one can out of moral purity or other lofty sensibilities

Tom is virtue bragging about how he paid more for his new yacht because it has more efficient fuel use and doesn't pollute the environment as much.

by Human Peacocking June 6, 2023

Eulogy Brag

To brag, highlight, or bring attention to one's close relationship with a recently deceased famous person. Can also include referencing specific stories. Often these are done (consciously or not) to increase status through reminding everyone how close one was to a famous person.

John just posted a 4 page eulogy brag about that famous singer that died who he claims to have known quite well, but who in reality he just met backstage for 1 minute 15 years ago.

by Human Peacocking March 2, 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