Laying It On Thick: The Art of Hyperbolic Flattery 🌟
Exploring exaggerated praise one trowelful at a time…
Definitions:
Laying it on thick: To exaggerate, particularly in a sycophantic manner.
Hyperbole: Obvious and intentional exaggeration; an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally.
Synonyms:
- Overpraise
- Flatter excessively
- Butter up
- Lay it on with a trowel (archaic)
- Exaggerate
Antonyms:
- Understate
- Belittle
- Play down
Related Terms and Phrases:
- Smooth talk: Persuasive and insincere talk that typically aims to flatter or deceive.
- Soft soap: Flattery or coaxing in an attempt to persuade or manipulate.
- Blowing smoke: Giving false praise in an attempt to deceive.
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “If flattery were music, he’d be a one-man orchestra.” — Unknown
- “He lay it on so thick, it felt like a plasterer in a hurry.” — Old Proverb
Literary References:
- As You Like It by William Shakespeare: The source of our phrase in its original form, “lay it on with a trowel.”
- Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust: For masterful (if sometimes overly flowery) use of language.
- The Social Animal by David Brooks: For psychological insights into human behaviours including flattery.
Suggestions in Media:
- Movies: The Great Gatsby (2013) – the story often delves into themes of deceit and the gilded masks people wear, including hyperbolic professions of emotion.
- Songs: You’re So Vain by Carly Simon – musical exploration of ego-stoking and flatteries.
- Poems: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost – contrasts simplicity and over-exaggeration through evocative descriptions of paths taken and not taken.
Quiz Corner ✍️
### What phrase is real?
- [ ] Smothering with honey words
- [x] Laying it on thick
- [ ] Plastering with kind lies
- [ ] Building castles with whispers
> **Explanation:** "Laying it on thick" is the phrase with true linguistic heritage, closely related to flattery and exaggeration.
### Which term is a legitimate synonym for 'laying it on thick'?
- [x] Butter up
- [ ] Crown jewel
- [ ] Ice cream on top
- [ ] Tree-swinging
> **Explanation:** "Butter up" is a legitimate term that means excessive praise to gain favor or advantage, quite akin to "laying it on thick."
### True or False: 'Laying it on thick' is derived from gardening.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! Despite the trowel imagery making one think of gardening tools, it originates from the tool used in masonry for applying mortar.
### What’s the origin of the term ‘Laying it on with a trowel’?
- [x] Shakespeare’s *As You Like It*
- [ ] Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice*
- [ ] Mark Twain’s *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*
- [ ] Herman Melville’s *Moby Dick*
> **Explanation:** The phrase hails from Shakespeare's *As You Like It*, originating as “lay it on with a trowel.”
### Identify a similar phrase.
- [ ] Whisper thin
- [ ] Sprinkle lightly
- [x] Smooth talk
- [ ] Light brush aside
> **Explanation:** "Smooth talk" aligns closely, implying persuasive, exaggerated flattery similar to "laying it on thick."
Inspirational Thought: “In all matters, moderate flattery, for excessive or insincere praise may build walls where bridges should stand. Embrace genuineness and remember — often, a true word spoken softly holds the greatest power.” – Quincy Quips
