The Art of Coxcombry: Understanding Excessive Flattery and Adulation

Coxcombry is a noun that refers to the habit of excessive flattery or adulation, especially when it is undeserved or excessive. It can also refer to the act of praising someone excessively or insincerely, or to the person who does so.

The word "coxcomb" has a long history and has been used in English since the 14th century. It originally referred to a type of feathered headdress worn by men in the 16th and 17th centuries, and was later used to describe someone who wore such a headdress or someone who was excessively vain or pretentious. Over time, the word evolved to include the meaning of excessive flattery or adulation.

Examples of coxcombries might include:

* A politician who is constantly praised by their supporters, even when their actions are questionable.
* A celebrity who is showered with compliments and attention, despite their lack of talent or achievement.
* A social media influencer who receives excessive praise for their appearance or lifestyle, rather than their actual accomplishments.

Overall, coxcombry is a word that is used to describe the behavior of someone who is excessively full of themselves and seeks excessive praise and admiration, often without any real basis for it.