Wingman (social)
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Wingman is a role that a person may take when a friend needs support with approaching potential partners. A wingman is someone who is on the "inside" and is used to help someone with intimate relationships. There seem to be sex differences such that females' friends help them avoid undesirable potential partners, while males' friends help them attract desirable potential partners.[1]
The 'pre-wing' refers to the talking up of one friend to another in order to build an attractive persona before any direct interactions. The pre-wing is then usually followed up by the wingman role; the follow-up support often involving befriending associates of the potential partner.
[edit] Origin
In the 1862 novel Fathers and Sons, the character Matvei Ilich tells Arkady, "I'll introduce you to our local young ladies; I'll take you under my wing." (Page 50)
The 1986 film Top Gun employed the term in its original context, a reference to tandem aerial combat scenarios. The social definition of the term has found repeat usage in popular culture, such as in the 1996 film Swingers.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ackerman, Joshua; Kenrick, Douglas (2009). "Cooperative courtship: Helping friends raise and raze relationship barriers.". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 35: 1285–1300.
