Is there a word that describes a person who constantly exaggerates? Exaggerating both facts and their emotions?
Edit: the word should have a negative connotation, as if you are criticizing someone for exaggerating too much.
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1The word alarmist will work in some contexts, basically where they're overstating a threat.– Carl SmithJul 20, 2013 at 14:58
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I love this question and it deserves a million upvotes...– EleventhDoctorJul 28, 2015 at 12:27
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8 Answers
Exaggerator and overstater are both English words that fit your meaning.
How about histrionic? Or drama queen?
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'Histrionic' refers more to character and style rather than speech right? I was thinking of a word more relevant to exaggeration in speech hmm.. Jun 13, 2012 at 9:09
How about braggart? ~ " A vain bragger, one who brags much."
http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/22483?redirectedFrom=braggart#eid
answered Jun 13, 2012 at 12:40
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Only when exaggerating own positive qualities. You won't call a braggart one who says "I'm utterly hopeless" about being less than perfect.– SF.Jun 13, 2012 at 18:58
Bullshitter comes to mind, although it is potentially offensive.
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Welcome to English Language & Usage! Good answer, although you may want to provide a reference and re-write in a less informal style. See How to Answer Questions. Apr 20, 2013 at 21:17
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3Know what? Where it doesn't give offense, bullshitter is the most accurate word, and the one most common in speech. Apr 20, 2013 at 21:32
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1@user1678063 could you please rewrite your comment in a more formal style - this is a very serious forum, where we all have to be dead formal. Apr 20, 2013 at 23:25
You might try Munchausen, after the fictional (and fiction-creating) German Baron. Be careful, though; the word has been taken up by the medical profession to describe somebody who constantly fantasises or lives in a dream world, which is stronger than the original meaning, and probably stronger than you're looking for.
answered Jun 13, 2012 at 12:43
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To avoid the medical connotation one could refer to the person as a "Baron Munchausen". Apr 2, 2015 at 12:12
Exaggerator works fine, but if you want something fancier you could try on hyperbolist.
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'hyperbolic' is an existing word (an adjective though) but it might be misunderstood (being too well associated with mathematics).– MitchJun 13, 2012 at 13:17
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Hyperbolist is more of a neutral word right? I am looking for something that has a negative connotation, as if you are criticizing someone for exaggerating too much in speech. Jun 13, 2012 at 15:10
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@darrentnh: It reads as sarcastic praise to me, which is probably more subtle than you're looking for.– chaosJun 13, 2012 at 15:46
What do you think about Coproglot ?
answered Jun 13, 2012 at 7:29
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Define standard English. This is urban dictionary aka dictionary of slang. Jun 13, 2012 at 9:14
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1"coproglot" should be avoided, since the hearer may think it is related to other words with prefix "copro-".– GEdgarJun 13, 2012 at 12:48
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2@GEdgar, it's probably the whole point. If "polyglot" means you speak many languages, coproglot means you speak shit.– zneakJun 13, 2012 at 14:10
You could call him a "Commander McBragg"
McBragg is a a cartoon character that tells stories in his English club about his many exploits that are hard to believe. Here are a examples and a link to a Wikepedia description:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4roxM8hUMk
