Touting

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Actively promoting or advertising something in an assertive or persistent way
2. Pushing or recommending a product, service, or idea strongly to attract attention or customers
3. Publicly endorsing or praising something with enthusiasm to encourage interest or sales

Etymology: The verb "tout" once meant something quite physical: to stick out or protrude. Its Old English ancestor, "tūtian," described something jutting into view, and Middle English extended the sense to peering or gazing at something, as a person might stare out from a hiding place. The sense of standing out or being conspicuous is still visible in the shared Germanic roots, which also produced Icelandic words for a teat-like swelling and for something being blown up. The modern meaning of persistently pushing a product or opinion came later and is less certain in its path. Dictionaries link the verb to the dialect word "toot," meaning to peep out or pry, and to Old English "tot," meaning pomp or vainglory, so the notion of thrusting oneself forward into view may have shaped the sense of loudly promoting something. The idea that it comes from French "tout," meaning "all," is considered only probable, and the connection to the Germanic family is firmer.

Synonyms: promoting, advertising, publicizing, praising, boasting

Antonyms: disparaging, criticizing, denouncing, belittling