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

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

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

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

Stigma brag

To brag, highlight, or bring attention to something that is stigmatized, lowly, common, or otherwise commonly unworthy of popular status. Examples include bragging about failures, past trauma, illnessed, hardships, etc.

There goes that super rich politician stigma bragging about how hard his childhood was in order to get further attention & sympathy.

by Human Peacocking May 11, 2023