Backslapping

/ˈbækˌslæpɪŋ/ noun, adjective

Definition

The act of giving someone insincere praise or false flattery; or describing something as characterized by false friendliness and exaggerated praise.

Etymology

Present participle of 'backslap,' functioning as both a noun describing the action and an adjective describing the quality of being overly flattering or false.

Kelly Says

The phrase 'backslapping politics' became so common in American journalism that it's almost a cliché—but it perfectly describes how some politicians win votes through charm rather than actual policies.

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