barnumism Definition
the use of exaggeration and sensationalism to promote a person, product, or event.
Using barnumism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "barnumism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company's barnumism tactics resulted in increased sales.
Example
The politician's barnumism was criticized for being misleading.
Example
The book's success was largely due to the author's use of barnumism in the marketing campaign.
barnumism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for barnumism
- hype
- puffery
- advertising
- publicity
- promotion
Phrases with barnumism
Barnum effect
the tendency to accept vague or general statements as true or accurate, especially if they are positive or flattering
Example
The Barnum effect is often used by astrologers and fortune tellers to make people believe that their predictions are accurate.
Barnum statement
a statement that is true for almost everyone, but is phrased in a way that makes it seem specific to the individual
Example
A horoscope that says 'you have a great sense of humor' is an example of a Barnum statement.
Barnumize
to use barnumism tactics to promote something
Example
The company hired a marketing firm to barnumize their new product.
Origins of barnumism
named after P.T. Barnum, an American showman known for his hoaxes and publicity stunts
Summary: barnumism in Brief
The term 'barnumism' [ˈbɑːnəmɪzəm] refers to the use of exaggeration and sensationalism to promote a person, product, or event. It is often used in marketing campaigns and political speeches to attract attention and increase sales. The Barnum effect and Barnum statements are related concepts that describe the tendency to accept vague or general statements as true or accurate. 'Barnumize' is a verb that means to use barnumism tactics to promote something.
