poodle-faker
Definition
- Noun (dated slang):
- A man who seeks the company of women for social advancement or personal gain: "poodle-faker" refers to a man who ingratiates himself with women, especially wealthy or influential ones, by flattering them or performing small services, often to gain social status or material benefits.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He was dismissed as a mere poodle-faker, always hovering around the ladies at the party. (A man who seeks women's attention for social advantage.)
- The novel's antagonist is a charming poodle-faker who marries an heiress for her money. (A man who uses women for personal gain.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is highly informal and largely obsolete in modern English. It originated in late 19th- to early 20th-century British slang, possibly from the image of a man fussing over a woman's lapdog (a poodle) as a pretext to approach her.
- It carries a derogatory connotation, implying insincerity and opportunism.
Variants and Related Words
- Poodle-faking (noun): the behaviour of a poodle-faker.
- His poodle-faking was obvious to everyone except the wealthy widow he pursued. (His insincere flattery for personal gain.)
- Poodle (noun): a breed of dog; also used derogatorily in slang to mean a servile or fawning person.
- Don't be such a poodle — stand up for yourself. (Don't be obsequious.)
Synonyms
- Social climber: a person who tries to associate with people of higher social status.
- Sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously towards someone influential to gain advantage.
- Gigolo: a man who is supported by women in return for companionship or sexual favours (stronger, more explicit term).
Related Idioms
- To brown-nose: to flatter someone to gain favour (informal, vulgar).
- He's always brown-nosing the boss for a promotion. (Flattering for personal gain.)
- To curry favour: to ingratiate oneself through flattery or service.
- She curried favour with the committee by offering free tickets. (Gained favour through gifts.)