The phrase "plays favorites" is commonly used to describe when someone shows preferential treatment towards certain people or things. The correct spelling of this phrase includes two important spellings: the "z" in "favorites" and the "s" in "plays". "Plays" is spelled with an "s" because it is a verb in the third-person singular present tense. "Favorites" is spelled with a "z" because of the American English preference for using "z" instead of "s" at the end of certain words. The IPA phonetic transcription for "plays favorites" is /pleɪz ˈfeɪvərɪts/.
The phrase "plays favorites" refers to a behavior where an individual consistently shows bias or preferential treatment towards certain individuals or groups over others. It is commonly used to describe someone who displays a clear inclination towards favoring particular people or objects, often to the disadvantage or exclusion of others.
When someone plays favorites, they tend to demonstrate a partiality that allows them to treat a select few more favorably or receive preferential treatment compared to others who may be equally deserving. This behavior can manifest in various settings, including personal relationships, professional environments, or even within social groups.
Playing favorites may involve an individual showing undue attention, granting special privileges, or offering preferential treatment like promotions, rewards, or opportunities to individuals they favor. Often, those who play favorites may have personal or subjective reasons for their biased behavior, such as personal connections, perceived similarities, or even personal gain.
This behavior, while often motivated by personal reasons, can negatively impact those who are left excluded or treated unfairly. It can erode trust, breed resentment, and create an environment that lacks fairness and equal opportunity.
Overall, playing favorites refers to a behavior where an individual consistently shows preference and bias towards specific individuals or groups, leading to an imbalanced distribution of resources, attention, and opportunities, and often resulting in negative consequences for those who are not the beneficiaries of such favoritism.
The phrase "plays favorites" is derived from the combination of two separate words with their respective meanings:
1. "Plays": This term comes from the Old English word "pleg(i)an", which means "to exercise or frolic". Over time, its meaning expanded to include the sense of engaging in a game or sport. Eventually, "plays" came to denote actions undertaken for amusement and entertainment.
2. "Favorites": Derived from the Middle French word "favorit", meaning "favored" or "preferred", "favorites" refers to people or things that hold a special or preferred status over others.
When these two words are combined, the phrase "plays favorites" describes the act of showing partiality or bias towards individuals or groups, treating them more favorably than others.