the.com/imitation
Flattery with a straight face and someone else's idea.
means A copy made to look or act like the original, rather than the real or genuine thing itself.
from From Latin imitari, 'to copy or strive to equal,' likely tied to the Indo-European root im- seen in words about likeness and image. The same root gives English 'image' and 'imitate's cousin, 'emulate' — though emulate carries ambition, while imitation is content just to look the part.
- origin
- from Latin imitari, to copy or mimic
- evolution
- children learn language almost entirely by imitating sounds
- irony
- sincerest form of flattery, cheapest form of praise
- brands
- imitation vanilla often tastes stronger than the real thing