arse-kissingn.
/ˈɑːskɪsɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɑrsˌkɪsɪŋ/ coarse slang.The form arse-kissing is now rare in North America, where ass-kissing n. is the usual form.
Excessive or insincere flattery, esp. when intended to gain favour or advancement; toadying. Cf. arse-licking n., ass-kissing n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [noun]
fawninga1350
adulationc1400
papelardya1425
papelardrya1500
captation1523
clawing1548
insinuation1553
curry-favour1581
man-pleasing1588
courting1607
men-pleasing1615
supparasitation1620
sycophantizing1640
assiduity1641
ingratiating1642
licking1648
man-pleasance1656
sycophancy1657
fawnery1661
sycophantrya1677
nutting1789
tuft-hunting1789
cultivation1793
huggery1804
ingratiation1815
sycophantism1821
lickspittling1839
toadyship1839
toadyism1840
bootlicking1849
toadying1863
arse-licking1912
lickspittle1914
apple-polishing1926
pot-licking1929
brown-nosing1934
ass-kissing1936
arse-kissing1937
ass-licking1946
sucking-up1946
bum-sucking1949
love bomb1975
love-bombing1976
1937 J. Stewart & J. Kemp tr. D. Diderot Rameau's Nephew in Diderot 251 Let us be clear; there's a literal arse-kissing and a figurative arse-kissing.
1996 Eat Soup Dec. 30/2 No prima donna theatrics or..arse-kissing for him.
2012 Sun (Nexis) 24 June 31 You get spoilt in America when you get successful there... All of a sudden whatever you say goes... I don't like that kind of arse-kissing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1937