lifemanshipn.
/ˈlʌɪfmənʃɪp/, U.S. /ˈlaɪfmənˌʃɪp/ Stephen Potter's term for: skill in acquiring an advantage or ‘edge’ over another person, esp. one who professes expert knowledge; the techniques or ploys involved in achieving this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [noun] > advantage over another > skill in acquiring an advantage
lifemanship1948
1948 Atlantic Sept. 45 In a subsequent series of articles he [sc. Stephen Potter] will discuss the Art of Intimidating the Experts, the thesis of his new book on Lifemanship.
1950 S. Potter (title) Some notes on lifemanship.
1952 Granta 29 Nov. 8/2 They are the men who thought Lifemanship was something to practise rather than detect.
1958 Spectator 29 Aug. 285/1 His narrative abounds in bashful lifemanship.
1964 Discovery Oct. 35/1 Lifemanship consists largely of a surreptitious and diplomatic control of what is ordinarily non-verbal and unconscious communication.
1991 J. Epstein Line Out for Walk 96 In the same book, Potter instructs students of lifemanship (a variation on one-upmanship) that ‘easily the most O.K. [names to mention or quote] for 1945–50 are Rilke and Kafka’.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 28 Sept. 103/3 British writer Stephen Potter, whose satires on ‘one-upness’, ‘lifemanship’ and ‘games lifemastery’ inspired the original film, would probably find it an easy target.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1948