name-dropping

[neym-drop-ing]

noun

1. the introduction into one's conversation, letters, etc., of the names of famous or important people as alleged friends or associates in order to impress others.

name-dropping

noun

1. informal,  the practice of referring frequently to famous or fashionable people, esp as though they were intimate friends, in order to impress others

Other Word Forms

• name-dropper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of name-dropping¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The book’s finest pieces wrangle, in elegant prose, with humanity’s contradictions; the weaker ones indulge in name-dropping, footnotes and op-ed invective.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After his release from prison, he said, he apologized to a number of rap artists, name-dropping Rick Ross, Drake and Nicki Minaj.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Johnson continued to post Instagram videos — some still name-dropping Rogan and some filmed while he’s in a shower — throughout the day, even after he arrived at the hotel in Austin.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He talked about Rwanda, Venezuela and China — and occasionally dropped in references to the United States, at one point name-dropping Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It sets the stage for backstabbing, strained loyalties, romantic possibilities and plenty of name-dropping — albeit with considerably less curse words than the original “Suits.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times