PUTTING AIRS Meaning and
Definition
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Putting airs refers to the act of behaving in a pretentious or haughty manner in order to project an image of superiority or importance. It is a colloquial phrase that is often used to describe a person who is attempting to appear more refined, sophisticated, or wealthy than they actually are.
When someone is putting airs, they may adopt a lofty attitude, use fancy or artificial language, or affect an exaggerated sense of style or fashion, all with the aim of appearing more elite or exclusive. This behavior typically involves making an excessive display of wealth, material possessions, or social connections in order to impress others or gain their admiration.
People who engage in putting airs often do so in social settings or when interacting with others. They may use their social status, education, or perceived refinement as a way to assert their superiority and maintain a certain level of exclusivity. However, putting airs can be seen as inauthentic or insincere, as it often involves exaggeration, pretense, or outright deception.
The term "putting airs" can also be used to criticize someone who is overly concerned with their own image or self-importance, to the point where they disregard the feelings or opinions of others. It implies an arrogance or snobbishness that can alienate those around them.
Overall, putting airs refers to the deliberate act of presenting oneself as more sophisticated, important, or upper class than one actually is, often through behavior, language, or material displays.
Common Misspellings for PUTTING AIRS
- outting airs
- lutting airs
- -utting airs
- 0utting airs
- pytting airs
- phtting airs
- pjtting airs
- pitting airs
- p8tting airs
- p7tting airs
- purting airs
- pufting airs
- pugting airs
- puyting airs
- pu6ting airs
- pu5ting airs
- putring airs
- putfing airs
- putging airs
- putying airs
Etymology of PUTTING AIRS
The phrase "putting airs" is colloquial and typically refers to someone behaving in a pretentious or affected manner. However, it doesn't have a distinct etymology as a stand-alone phrase. Instead, it derives from the more general expression "to put on airs".
"To put on airs" dates back to the 18th century and is believed to have originated from the French phrase "se mettre en belle humeur", which translates to "to put oneself in a fine disposition". Over time, this expression evolved in English to capture the idea of assuming a false or exaggerated personality, often to appear more important or superior.
So, "putting airs" likely emerged as a variation or abbreviation of the longer phrase "putting on airs". It is possible that the shorter form gained popularity due to its simplicity and brevity, eventually becoming the more commonly used expression.
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