Very important person
A very important person (VIP or V.I.P.) or personage[1] is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence, or importance.[2][3] The term was not common until sometime after World War II by RAF pilots.[1]
Examples include celebrities, heads of state or government, other politicians, major employers, high rollers, high-level corporate officers, bankers, economists, physicians, clergy, military personnel, nobles, wealthy individuals, or any other socially notable person who receives special treatment for any reason.[3][4] The special treatment usually involves separation from common people, and a higher level of comfort or service.[5]
In some cases, such as with tickets, VIP may be used as a title in a similar way to premium or exclusive. Usually, VIP tickets can be purchased by anyone, but still meaning separation from other customers, own security checks etc.
Sometimes, the term very very important person (VVIP or V.V.I.P.) is also used,[6] especially with reference to VIPs with very high rank or spending power.[7] It is used especially when anyone can buy VIP treatment, to distinguish people with especially high requirements.[8] And V.V.V.I.P. can denote even another level of exclusivity.[9]
References
- Harper, Douglas. "vip". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Very Important Person". Trustees of Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- "vip". CollinsDictionary.com. HarperCollins. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "Synonyms of VIP | Thesaurus.com". www.thesaurus.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- Waida, Maria (3 January 2019). "20 Impressive VIP Event Ideas". blog.bizzabo.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- Free Dictionary definition, accessed 15 June 2016
- Meet the VVIP (Very Very Important People), Wall Street Journal 23 December 2010. Requires subscription. Retrieved 15 June 2016
- Vritika (2013-09-27). "Difference between VIP and VVIP". www.differencebetween.info. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- "When V.I.P. Isn't Exclusive Enough: Welcome to V.V.I.P." NY Times. 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30.