brownie point

English

Etymology

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).

Pronunciation

Audio (General Australian): (file)

Noun

brownie point (plural brownie points)

(idiomatic, slang, originally US, chiefly in the plural) Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.
You're really going to get some brownie points from the teacher for that fantastic essay!
- 1967 November, Harriette Bailey Conn, “Women legislators”, in Ebony‎^[1], page 14:
  However, you get Brownie points for having spelled my names right—all of them, and the first time too!

Usage notes

This term is often used sarcastically to highlight someone's sycophantic behaviour.

Translations

Finnish: irtopiste (fi)
French: bon point (fr) m

References

“brownie, n.1.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.