🎈 Swell-Head: Inflation Beyond Balloons 🤯
Have you ever met someone who seems to think the sun rises just to hear them crow? Yes, they might be suffering from a classic case of “swell-head.”
Definition:
Swell-head: An exaggerated sense of self-importance and arrogance. The visual here is that of one’s self-worth inflating their head to cosmic proportions, making hats ill-fitting and real-life balance precarious.
Origins:
The term dates to the nineteenth century with its notable use by J. J. Cooper in his 1845 piece, Simon Suggs’ Adventures, dripping with monikered disdain: “They’re all a pack of d——d swell-heads.”
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Big-head: Another term for someone with an overinflated sense of self.
- Full of oneself: A person who has an exaggerated perception of their own abilities or worth.
- Ego-trip: Actions or behavior showcasing someone’s self-centeredness.
- Upper echelon self-esteemist: A comically verbose way to describe someone with a “swell-head.”
Idioms and Proverbs:
- “Don’t toot your own horn.”: A wise nugget cautioning one against self-promotion.
- “Pride comes before a fall.”: Beware; overinflated egos have the occasional high-altitude crash.
Usage in Literature and Media:
- Books: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray explores the folly of social climbing and ego.
- Movies: The Devil Wears Prada deftly portrays characters with “swell-head” syndrome in the high-stakes world of fashion.
- Poetry: Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” decries the impermanence of human grandeur.
- Songs: Beyoncé’s “Ego” has a catchy yet self-aware nod to the subject.
Quotes:
- Humorous: “He has a head swelled enough to eclipse his ego’s own solar system.”
- Inspirational: “Ground your roots deep, so no gust of pride can uproot your humble beginnings.”
- Thought-Provoking: “Genius is of small use to a person with a swollen ego, for its vastness is bounded only by their vanity.”
Quick Quiz:
Next time you see someone’s head metaphorically balancing an unscripted encore, smile and relish your new vocabulary nugget: the good ol’ swell-head!
W. T. Wittywords October 1, 2023
“Keep your mind wide open, but your ego slim enough to fit through humble doorways.” 🌈
