flattery /flt.r.i/
noun 奉承；谄媚；恭维话。指为了讨好他人或获取某种利益而说出的过分赞美之词，通常不够真诚。
She was too smart to be deceived by his flattery.
她太聪明了，不会被他的奉承所蒙骗。
The politician's speech was filled with empty flattery designed to win votes rather than address real issues.
那位政客的演讲充满了空洞的恭维，目的是拉选票而非解决实际问题。
flattery 源自古法语 flaterie，而古法语又来自动词 flater，意为"抚摸、奉承"。该词在13世纪左右进入英语，最初指通过甜言蜜语来取悦他人的行为。其词根可能与古日耳曼语中表示"平坦"的词有关，暗含"使人心情平顺、舒畅"的意味。
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