brownie point

English

Etymology

Unknown, but possibly from brownnose, and often associated with the points Girl Guides or Girl Scouts at the Brownie level (ages 6-8) receive for doing specific tasks that when accumulated earn them badges (a sign of recognition) to wear on their Brownie Uniform. Attested from the 1960s.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

brownie point (plural brownie points)

1. (idiomatic, slang, originally US, chiefly in the plural) Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.

   You're really going to get some brownie points from the teacher for that fantastic essay!

   • 1967 November, Harriette Bailey Conn, “Women legislators”, in Ebony‎^[1], page 14:

     However, you get Brownie points for having spelled my names right—all of them, and the first time too!

Usage notes

• This term is often used sarcastically to highlight someone's sycophantic behaviour.

Translations

Translations

• Finnish: irtopiste (fi)
• French: bon point (fr) m

See also

• house points

References

• “brownie, n.1.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Further reading

• brownie points on Wikipedia.Wikipedia