Human Peacocking's definitions

Veneer Career

The socially respectable and seemingly profitable job or career that a wealthy person claims to have to hide the fact that they don't really work or make money and instead coast off their savings, inheritance, or other handouts.

For example someone might claim to be a 'designer' though no one buys anything they make and they live off their parents, or someone might say they're an 'investor' but they don't invest any money or do anything to make profit.

Such claimed careers and jobs give status and recognition to someone who would otherwise be classified as unemployed or idle.

He claims he's an investor but that's just his veneer career, he just comes from a rich family and spends his parents money but doesn't do anything otherwise. His sister's veneer clothing is a handbag line she puts out which has 2 customers: her parents.

by Human Peacocking December 12, 2024

Eulogy Brag

To highlight one's closeness to a famous person who recently died by loudly proclaiming how close you were with them and how much their passing affects you, all under the guise of a eulogy. Can be strengthened through the use of personal stories, photos, or nicknames.

John: It's so terrible that Johnny died, we were so close and I'll never recover from this.
Alice: You mean that famous billionaire that you met once at a conference 5 years ago?

That's guy's facebook post is a complete eulogy brag, he barely knew that famous person who just died and now he's acting like they were the closest friends ever and is so hurt by his passing.

by Human Peacocking March 29, 2024

Eulogy Bragging

Making a very public eulogy for a famous person in order to highlight your proximity, relationship, or familiarity to them upon their death (often to get attention for yourself).

When that famous painter Jack died, all his kids friends were eulogy bragging on facebook about how influential he was to them and tagging his son so that everyone knows they knew him personally!

by Human Peacocking February 25, 2024

Status blowback

The negative reaction by an audience to someone who displays or experiences higher status, often as a result of resentment, envy, or jealousy at the person's status.

I don't want to wear my expensive watch to meet that group because of the potential status blowback.

by Human Peacocking April 25, 2024

First Rule of Peacocking

The first rule of peacocking is : don't tell the audience what it already knows.

This 'rule' refers to a maxim in social science literature that a person/thing trying to show status should not be repetitive / redundant and give the audience what they already know would happen.

John just violated the First Rule of Peacocking when giving his acceptance speech! he acted like no one knew why they were all there when he told them again about his achievements.

by Human Peacocking June 11, 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

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