😏 Damned with Faint Praise: The Art of the Backhanded Compliment 🎭
Definition: To compliment so slightly that it amounts to no compliment at all, or even the reverse, a condemnation. The Roman writer Favorinus said, around A.D. 110, that it’s more shameful to be praised faintly and coldly than to be censured violently.
Synonyms:
- Left-handed compliment
- Backhanded compliment
- Insincere praise
- Doublespeak kudos (fun twist!)
Antonyms:
- Genuine praise
- Heartfelt compliment
- Unambiguous admiration
- Sincere applause
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I can resist everything except temptation… and faint praise.” — Oscar Wilde, almost definitely.
- “Your essay is surprisingly good, considering who wrote it.” — Anonymous Critic
- “Wow, you’re on time for once!” — Friend with a watch
Similar Expressions:
- The kiss of death: An action or statement that can feel like a favor but proves ruinous.
- With friends like these, who needs enemies?: Often said when faint praise is involved, this expression points out insincere friendships.
- Praising with a sneer: Combining praise and contempt in one neat package.
- “I guess you tried your best.”: Damning with faint praise’s little sibling.
Intriguing Literature & References:
Books:
- “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu (For strategies including psychological manipulations)
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (Snark and subtle jabs galore!)
- “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (Full of wit)
Poetry:
- Alexander Pope’s “Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot” (Contains the classic faint praise line)
Movies:
- Mean Girls (2004) – Every backhanded compliment from Regina George is practically art.
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – Miranda Priestly masters faint praise.
Songs:
- “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon, including tones and lyrics that could pass as faint praise.
- “Jealous” by Nick Jonas – Exploring themes of complimenting within envy and faint praise.
The Inspiring Farewell:
- Embark on your journey of language and wit, dear reader, remembering that a simple, pure compliment will always shine brighter than the dull glint of faint praise. May your words be potent, your praises genuine, and your wit ever-sharp. ✨
### Identify the true phrase:
- [ ] Flattery will get you bananas
- [x] Damned with faint praise
- [ ] Praise for noodles
- [ ] Complimenting clouds
> **Explanation:** "Damned with faint praise" is the correct and established phrase. The others are fabricated nonsense you might find floating in the whimsical writers' brainstorm.
### What is a left-handed compliment also known as?
- [x] Backhanded compliment
- [ ] Artistic rectitude
- [ ] Notional nicety
- [ ] Flavorful flattery
> **Explanation:** A left-handed compliment is also known as a backhanded compliment, where the endorsement carries an underlying insult or is barely perceptible as a compliment.
### True or False: "Damning with faint praise" originated from a tweet in the 21st century.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** This phrase dates back to at least the Roman times, with notable references like that from Alexander Pope in 1733. Tweets are an anachronism for this origin story.
### Finish the sentence: "To be praised faintly and coldly is..."
- [ ] ...like swimming in a hot tub of kittens.
- [x] ...more shameful than to be censured violently.
- [ ] ...the ultimate form of respect.
- [ ] ...like dancing on a volcano.
> **Explanation:** According to Favorinus around A.D. 110, being praised faintly and coldly is indeed more shameful than being censured violently, a notion that underscores the sting of insensitivity cloaked as praise.
