Peacockery

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A manner of behaving characterized by exaggerated displays of attractiveness or flair A tendency to seek attention through ornate and flamboyant presentation of oneself The practice of attracting admiration by emphasizing dazzling and ostentatious attributes
2. A behavior marked by an excessive or flashy display intended to draw attention
3. The act of showcasing oneself in a striking and flamboyant way to impress others

Etymology: Peacockery is a plain formation: the noun "peacock" with the suffix "-ery", which English attaches to nouns to name a collective, a practice, or a characteristic behaviour. The bird's name is itself rooted in its most famous feature, since its fanned-out tail feathers are the display that the word ultimately describes. The male peacock raises and spreads his train in showy courtship displays, and that visible spectacle is what the human sense borrows. Applying "-ery" to the bird turns the animal's conspicuous strutting into a human trait. Where "-ery" often produces words like "bravery" or "snobbery", here it gives a name to vanity on parade: the person who dresses, speaks, or acts to be watched. The word therefore links a specific bird behaviour to an everyday criticism of showing off.

Synonyms: showiness, ostentation, flamboyance

Antonyms: modesty, simplicity