Correct spelling for the English word "lifemanship" is [lˈa͡ɪfmənʃˌɪp], [lˈaɪfmənʃˌɪp], [l_ˈaɪ_f_m_ə_n_ʃ_ˌɪ_p] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Lifemanship is a term coined by the British author Stephen Potter in the mid-20th century. It refers to the art or skill of skillfully maneuvering through various social situations and interactions in order to gain advantage or control over others. Lifemanship is often characterized by clever and strategic maneuvers that are carefully designed to outwit opponents or make others feel inferior.
The concept of lifemanship revolves around the idea of adopting a particular mindset and employing tactics to navigate the complexities of social encounters. Its underlying philosophy is rooted in the belief that social success can be achieved by carefully studying and mastering the unwritten rules of social interactions, using wit, charm, and psychological tactics to gain an advantage.
Lifemanship involves several key principles, such as deploying subtle tactics, creating the illusion of expertise, and employing psychological strategies to manipulate situations to one's advantage. It often relies on humor, irony, and satire to lampoon and expose social pretensions and absurdities.
While lifemanship can be seen as a somewhat manipulative approach to social interactions, it is also considered a form of social intelligence and an artful way of navigating complex social dynamics. The term has inspired various forms of self-help literature, comedic sketches, and even psychological studies on social behavior and manipulation.
Overall, lifemanship can be seen as a strategic approach to social interactions that aims to maximize one's personal advantage through clever maneuvering and psychological tactics.
The word "lifemanship" was coined by Stephen Potter, a British writer who specialized in humorous self-help books. The term is derived from the combination of "life" and "manship", a suffix that suggests skill or expertise. It is a play on words, parodying other "-manship" terms such as sportsmanship and gamesmanship. Potter used "lifemanship" to refer to the art of outsmarting or manipulating others in various social and personal situations, often with the intention of gaining advantage or coming out on top.