Understanding Cliquish Behavior: What It Means and How to Avoid It

Cliquish is an adjective used to describe a group or activity that is exclusive and only open to certain people, often based on shared interests or social status. The term is often used in a negative way to suggest that the group is snobbish or elitist, and that outsiders are not welcome.
For example, "The exclusive club was accused of being cliquish and only accepting members who were wealthy and well-connected."
The word can also be used to describe someone who is overly concerned with status and exclusivity, such as "She's always trying to fit in with the popular crowd and is really cliquish about it."
The term has been around since the early 20th century and is thought to have originated from the French word "clique," meaning a small group of people who share similar interests or activities.