Mincingness describes the quality or characteristic of behaving or speaking in an affectedly dainty or refined manner, often to an exaggerated degree. It implies a degree of artificiality and pretension in one's actions or speech, often perceived as condescending or insincere. The term suggests a deliberate attempt to appear delicate, sophisticated, or superior, even if the underlying character is not actually so. The affected movements or speech patterns are intended to project a certain image, sometimes to mask awkwardness or insecurity. This behavior can be considered an irritating mannerism because it may give the impression of arrogance or a lack of genuineness.
Mincingness meaning with examples
- Her Mincingness when ordering tea at the quaint cafe was a stark contrast to her normally boisterous personality. It felt forced, as if she was trying too hard to appear sophisticated in front of her date. Her affected pronunciation and small sips seemed designed to draw attention to her perceived elegance and refinement.
- The drama queen’s Mincingness in response to a minor inconvenience drew eye rolls from the rest of the group. Her exaggerated expressions of dismay and her delicate gestures felt completely out of place for the situation. This exaggerated display of emotion was perceived as manipulative and designed to garner attention and sympathy.
- The critic found the actor's Mincingness during the period drama distracting and detrimental to his performance. His overly delicate movements and affected accent diminished the authenticity of his portrayal and highlighted his perceived discomfort with the character's social position, making it difficult to connect with the role.
- Despite his athletic build, the comedian's Mincingness in his stand-up routine was a surprisingly effective comedic tool. The contrast between his appearance and his affected behavior created humor through incongruity, subverting expectations and playing on the absurdity of the situation, to great audience success.
- The politician’s Mincingness, when addressing the public, was immediately picked up on by the press. His carefully chosen words and deliberately slow enunciation created a sense of artificiality that made his message ring false. This created a wall between him and his constituents.