Conspicuous Consumption 💰
Definition: Strutting your stuff, splurging on shiny things, and showcasing one’s material wealth like a peacock with dollar signs on its feathers. This term, coined by the American economist Thorstein Veblen in “The Theory of the Leisure Class” (1899), is a delightful whack at the ultra-wealthy for their habit of flaunting their abundance (think of it as societal bling).
🎩 Related Terms and Expressions
- Keeping up with the Joneses: Competing with others to show you’re just as wealthy.
- High-roller lifestyle: Living large with significant expenditures on luxuries.
- Flamboyant exhibitionism: Ostentatious display of wealth or abilities.
- Materialism: Placing a lot of value on physical objects and material wealth.
- Retail therapy: Shopping as a way to relieve stress or feel better (yep, those diamond earrings do sparkle quite nicely).
🗣 Synonyms
- Ostentatious consumption
- Vulgar ostentation
- Flashiness
- Showiness
- Extravagant spending
🙅♂️ Antonyms
- Modesty
- Humility
- Frugality
- Simplicity
- Thriftiness
😄 Humor-filled Quote
“Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.” - David Lee Roth
🌍 Proverbs on Wealth
- “He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.” - Swedish Proverb
- “A fool and his money are soon parted.” - English Proverb
- “Wealth rarely brings happiness.” - Chinese Proverb
📚 Literature & Media References
- Books: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Theory of the Leisure Class” by Thorstein Veblen
- Movies: “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Bling Ring,” “Crazy Rich Asians”
- Songs: “Money” by Pink Floyd, “Material Girl” by Madonna
- Poetry: “The Vanity of Human Wishes” by Samuel Johnson
### Which of these terms refer to conspicuous consumption?
- [x] Living large
- [ ] Penny-pinching lifestyle
- [ ] Minimalist approach
- [ ] Scrooge syndrome
> **Explanation:** "Living large" is synonymous with conspicuous consumption, marking a lifestyle filled with extravagant and showy expenditures.
### Choose the phrase that indicates a flashy display of wealth.
- [x] Flashing the cash
- [ ] Saving for a rainy day
- [ ] Bare necessities living
- [ ] Walking on a budget
> **Explanation:** "Flashing the cash" means displaying one's money prominently, fitting the definition of conspicuous consumption nicely.
### True or False: Conspicuous consumption is widely considered a humble and frugal practice.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! Conspicuous consumption is the exact opposite of humble and frugal.
### Which author coined the term 'conspicuous consumption'?
- [ ] Karl Marx
- [ ] Adam Smith
- [x] Thorstein Veblen
- [ ] John Maynard Keynes
> **Explanation:** Thorstein Veblen introduced the term in his 1899 work "The Theory of the Leisure Class."
### 'Keeping up with the _______' signifies trying to match another's conspicuous consumption.
- [x] Joneses
- [ ] Jeffersons
- [ ] Smiths
- [ ] Millers
> **Explanation:** "Keeping up with the Joneses" refers to rivaling neighbors in material wealth and social status.
Thank you for joining us on this amusing dive into the world of conspicuous consumption. Remember, glitter and gold might dazzle the eyes but often veil the richer hue of life’s simple treasures. Stay modest yet fabulous!
- Maximus Splendiferous
