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 rank, status, influence, or importance.[2][3] The term was not common until sometime after World War II when it was popularised by Royal Air Force pilots.[1][additional citation(s) needed]
Examples include celebrities, heads of state or government, other high-ranking politicians, or any other socially notable person who receives special treatment for any reason.[3] The special treatment usually involves separation from common people, and a higher level of comfort or service.[4]
Commerce
editIn some cases, such as with tickets, VIP may be used as a title in a similar way to premium or exclusive. Usually in airports, VIP tickets can be purchased by anyone, but still meaning separation from other customers, own security checks etc.
VIP airport terminals may be used by foreign ministers, ambassadors or high-ranking government personalities, provided that they are officially invited by the receiving country's government.[5]
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 socioeconomic rank or purchasing power.[7] It is used especially when anyone can buy VIP treatment, to distinguish people with especially high requirements.[8] V.V.V.I.P. (or VVVIP) can denote even another, higher level of exclusivity.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Harper, Douglas. "vip". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- ^ "Very Important Person". Trustees of Princeton University. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ a b "vip". CollinsDictionary.com. HarperCollins. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- ^ Waida, Maria (3 January 2019). "20 Impressive VIP Event Ideas". blog.bizzabo.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- ^ Spadinger, Wolfgang (2012). Guide on Protocol and Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities (PDF). United Nations.
- ^ 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". 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.
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