Definitions
- Describing exaggerated or boastful claims about a product or service. - Referring to promotional language that is not meant to be taken literally. - Talking about advertising or marketing language that uses hyperbole to make a product or service seem more appealing.
- Referring to insincere or excessive praise given to someone in order to gain favor or influence. - Describing compliments that are not genuine or sincere. - Talking about language used to manipulate or persuade someone by appealing to their ego or vanity.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve using language to influence or persuade someone.
- 2Both can be insincere or exaggerated.
- 3Both can be used to make someone feel good about themselves.
- 4Both can be used in advertising or marketing.
What is the difference?
- 1Intention: Puffery is used to make a product or service seem better than it actually is, while flattery is used to gain favor or influence with a person.
- 2Audience: Puffery is directed towards potential customers or clients, while flattery is directed towards a specific individual.
- 3Sincerity: Puffery is not meant to be taken literally, while flattery can be insincere or genuine.
- 4Effect: Puffery can be seen as harmless exaggeration, while flattery can be seen as manipulative or deceitful.
- 5Connotation: Puffery is often associated with advertising or marketing, while flattery is often associated with social situations or personal relationships.
Remember this!
Puffery and flattery are both forms of language used to influence or persuade someone. However, the difference between puffery and flattery is their intention and audience. Puffery is used in advertising or marketing to make a product or service seem better than it actually is, while flattery is used to gain favor or influence with a specific person. While both can be insincere or exaggerated, puffery is not meant to be taken literally, while flattery can be either insincere or genuine.
