Flattery
/ˈflæt.ər.i/noun
Excessive and often insincere praise given to someone to please or persuade them.
Did you know?Flattery comes from the same old French root as 'flat,' because the original sense was to make something smooth or level — a chilling reminder that words can be used to sand down resistance before the real influence begins.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*flataz
“flat, level”
Old Norse
ON
flatr
“flat, level”
Old French
OF
flater
“to flatter, smooth down”
Middle English
ME
flateren
“to soothe with praise; to cajole”
Modern English
English
flattery
“excessive or insincere praise”