Is someone flattering you with compliments? Chances are they’re trying to get you to do something for you. Insincere flattery is frustrating to handle, and you might find yourself telling the person to shut their mouth.
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘insincere flattery’ means that someone is showering you with praise and compliments to earn your trust. After they finish building rapport with you, they will ask you for a favor. Insincere flattery is a manipulative social strategy employed by sociopathic people.
We’re all guilty of using insincere flattery to get our way at some point in our lives. However, using it frequently to manipulate people into doing what you want might mean you have a sociopathic personality.
Most people can see through insincere flattery, and they won’t appreciate you trying to manipulate them into doing what you want. It’s an inauthentic approach to complimenting someone and has the opposite of the intended effect in most cases.
Example Usage
“Just stop it with your insincere flattery. I’m tired of you trying to manipulate me. Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Why is it that you go ahead with the insincere flattery every time you want me to do something for you? It’s kind of manipulative.”
“Listen, I don’t care about your sociopathic attempt to stroke my ego. Don’t bother with the insincere flattery; it’s not getting you anywhere with me.”
“Thanks for reaching out, but I don’t do MLM, and your insincere flattery is shameful. I’m blocking you.”
Origin
The expression ‘insincere flattery’ originates from the word ‘flattery.’ Flattery by itself is insincere. You flatter someone with praise when you have an ulterior motive behind stroking their ego. Flattery makes another person feel good because everyone wants people to speak of them in a good light.
However, insincere flattery makes it blatantly obvious that the other person is trying to play to your ego to get you to do something for them. Some suggest this tactic comes from sales, where salespeople will use flattery to manipulate a prospect into a deal.
‘Flater’ is the root word of ‘flatter,’ originating in the 1600s in old English. The original meaning of flatter’ is to “stroke with the hand or caress.” So, it makes sense that flattery involves stroking another person’s ego to get what you want from them.
Phrases Similar to Insincere Flattery
- Blowing smoke.
- Talking nonsense.
- Sucking up.
Phrases Opposite to Insincere Flattery
- Sincere flattery.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Insincere flattery.
Ways People May Say Insincere Flattery Incorrectly
Some people may use the phrase ‘insincere flattery’ to describe insults or other derogatory terms said to them by others. However, insincere flattery involves someone laying insincere compliments on your to manipulate your attitude toward them.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Insincere Flattery
You can use the expression ‘insincere flattery’ when you want to tell someone that you know they’re trying to manipulate you. Someone trying to speak to your ego might have a secondary motive, such as getting you to sign up for an MLM scam.
When you tell someone to stop with their insincere flattery, it produces the opposite reaction of what they expect from your response. If you feel that someone is being nice to you, and they usually aren’t, they could use insincere flattery to get you to do something for them.