Verb. A strategy frequently encountered in academia wherein an individual attempts to impress or gain favor with superiors, peers, committees and institutions through the use of 1) technical jargon and bureaucratese 2) bootlicking people and/or institutions 3) lying about one's credentials, experience, knowledge and interests 4) cheating to get ahead and 5) attempting to make competition, newbies and non-academic folk feel stupid, useless or inadequate. In essence, being dishonest and attempting to be seem more learned and invested than one actually is in order to climb the ladder.
Unfortunately, many of the people that BSing to be impressing is directed at are fellow BSers, which allows the strategy to gain acceptance and perpetuate.
Ken got accepted into medical school not because he cares about people or has a genuine curiosity for human health, but because he has mastered the skill of BSing to be impressing, and thus was able to trick the admissions committee into thinking that he will make a good doctor. Really, he just wants money, recognition, and accolades. Once he begins practicing as an MD, he will absolutely let poor, minority, and/or female patients die.
Trevor: Did you hear about Ders with one match only, managed to burn down an entire Church while he was naked and tripping on acid during an afternoon service yesterday. Evan: "Fuck really? Wowman, i'm impressified!"
Behavior characterized by a statement that insinuates one’s own awesomeness in an unassuming, detached or even self-deprecating manner - i.e. bragging while trying not to seem like you're bragging.
1. Matt was being so passive-impressive when he told us he felt like a total dipshit after realizing he had spinach in his teeth while he was talking to Colin Kaepernick at that party last night.
2. I hate when people tweet passive-impressive stuff like: “Gosh, I am really dragging ass today after running 30 miles before work."
Short-hand for the word floccinaucinihilipilification, meaning the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).
Precedes or follows either a gratuitously disrespectful or honest remark, originated in New York City. Used in similar fashion to "no offense" or "to be honest," interchangeably.
Ya mans is wild buns, respectfully. Respectfully he's washed.
After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.