Definition
Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.
Origins
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).
In Context
- "You're really going to get some brownie points from the teacher for that fantastic essay!"
- "However, you get Brownie points for having spelled my names right—all of them, and the first time too!"
See Also
- house points