brownie point en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Unknown, but possibly from brownnose, and often associated with the points that Girl Guides or Girl Scouts at the Brownie level (ages six through eight) receive for doing specific tasks that when accumulated earn them badges (a sign of recognition) to wear on their Brownie Uniform. First use appears c. 1944 in the The Daily Item (Sunbury).
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, in-plural, slang) Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.
However, you get Brownie points for having spelled my names right—all of them, and the first time too!
1967 November, Harriette Bailey Conn, “Women legislators”, in Ebony, page 14:You're really going to get some brownie points from the teacher for that fantastic essay!
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| brownie points | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Translations (3)
fr bon point (Translations) · pl pochwała (Translations) · fi irtopiste (Translations)
wikipedia: The Daily Item (Sunbury) · wikipedia: Brownies (Scouting)