Of "Swagger"

The word "swagger," according to Google's Oxford Language-based dictionary, denotes a person's conducting themselves in a "typically arrogant or aggressive way."

Basically, someone who swaggers acts like an "asshole."

Yet one finds that the word "swagger" tends to be used much less pejoratively than "asshole"--indeed, used admiringly in regard to such behavior.

Where does that come from? Quite simply there is the way that people are relentlessly encouraged to identify upwards, with those who have power and status. To think what they do necessarily commendable and worthy of emulation, to try and do it themselves when they can, to fancy themselves doing the same thing in their position when they cannot--to vicariously live through their supposed superiors, and in this case, swagger vicariously through them.

It all betrays the delusions of men who are little in every sense of the word--and in this failing all too commonplace.