puffery
UK: ˈpʌfəri | US: ˈpʌfəri
n. exaggerated or false praise, especially for promotional purposes
n. the act of promoting something with inflated claims
The word "puffery" originates from the verb "puff," which dates back to Middle English (meaning "to blow" or "to swell"). By the 16th century, "puff" evolved to describe boastful or exaggerated speech, akin to "inflating" one's claims. The suffix "-ery" (from Old French "-erie") denotes a practice or characteristic behavior, turning "puff" into a noun describing the act of exaggerated promotion. The term is often used in advertising and law to describe non-actionable exaggerations.
The commercial was full of puffery, making unrealistic claims about the product's benefits.
Political campaigns often rely on puffery to attract voters.
The company avoided legal trouble because their statements were deemed mere puffery.
Critics dismissed the review as puffery, lacking substantive evidence.
Consumers are becoming more skeptical of advertising puffery.