showmanshipn.
/ˈʃəʊmənʃɪp/, U.S. /ˈʃoʊmənˌʃɪp/ The art or skill of a showman; the ability to entertain people with a theatrical style of performance or presentation; theatrics.Frequently somewhat depreciative, implying an emphasis on style rather than substance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [noun] > showy action or performance
showmanship1822
showmanism1845
gallery-play1871
stunt1878
showmanry1886
fancy work1907
hot doggery1962
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > a public show or spectacle > [noun] > show-people > showman > quality of
showmanship1822
showmanism1845
showmanry1886
1822 London Lit. Gaz. 2 Mar. 139/2 The general feebleness and showmanship of our drama.
1853 G. A. Sala in Househ. Words 19 Mar. 65/1 One touch of showmanship makes the whole world kin.
1874 G. H. Lewes Let. 19 Feb. in ‘G. Eliot’ Lett. (1956) VI. 20 The story is very well told... But there is a chorus of objection against the excessive showmanship of the commentary.
1926 A. Bennett Ld. Raingo ii. lxiv. 287 He had made a fine display of courage and wit on the doctor's declaration of his malady, but it was only a display, a proud piece of showmanship perhaps unworthy of so solemn an occasion.
1930 John o' London's Weekly 715 Showmanship, both on and off the stage, is half the battle to the ambitious illusionist.
1972 Newsweek 10 Jan. 8/1 Pragmatism—coupled with some of the showmanship for which he has long been known—stood as the hallmark of Bhutto's first fortnight as President.
2000 P. Johnson & C. O'Brien World Food: New Orleans 178 His animated antics and showmanship have made his cooking shows..nationwide hits.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1822