name-dropping
noun

- the practice of referring frequently to famous or fashionable people, especially as though they were intimate friends, in order to impress others

Collins Dictionary

—
ORIGIN

This term first appeared around 1945 and reflects casually ‘dropping’ prominent persons’ names into social or professional conversations.

—
Unfortunately, name-dropping often undermines the credibility of the name-dropper.

Dr Carmen Lebherz, from the University of Zurich, conducted an elegant experiment where undergraduate students were asked to evaluate conversation partners claiming to know Roger Federer. The name-droppers were invariably perceived as untrustworthy and manipulative.

Some psychologists correlate name-dropping with low self-esteem, others connect it with narcissism. Narcissists believe that they are more attractive, intelligent, and important than others and display grandiose behaviour, of which name-dropping is an indicator.

Mmm...

—
Practice OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“His continual NAME-DROPPING is slowly getting on my nerves.”

——
VIELEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

Paul Smith